noun

PDF

pee-dee-EFF

PDF (noun) means a file format for documents that keeps the same layout, fonts and images on every device, so a page looks the same however it is opened or printed. Example: “Could you send me the contract as a PDF so the formatting doesn't shift?”

noun

A file format for documents that keeps the same layout, fonts and images on every device, so a page looks the same however it is opened or printed.

"Could you send me the contract as a PDF so the formatting doesn't shift?"

"She exported the report to PDF before emailing it to the board."

A single document saved in that format.

"I've got about forty PDFs of old invoices sitting in that folder."

verb

informal To convert a document into this format.

"Just PDF the spreadsheet and pop it in the shared drive."

How to Use PDF

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA file that shows a document exactly the same way on any device.

When to use it

Everyday word in office, legal and academic settings. Written in capitals; the verb use ("PDF it") is informal.

Memory tip

PDF is always written in capitals and takes a normal plural, PDFs, with no apostrophe.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

Word document PDF/A XPS

Common pairings

save as a PDF export to PDF a scanned PDF fillable PDF PDF reader

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “PDF” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Could you send me the contract as a _____ so the formatting doesn't shift?

Etymology

An initialism of Portable Document Format. The format was created at Adobe in the early 1990s and was published as an open ISO standard, ISO 32000, in 2008.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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portable document format document file

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PDF owned by Adobe?

No. Adobe created the format and still makes popular software for reading and editing PDFs, but the format itself was released as an open ISO standard (ISO 32000) in 2008. Anyone can build software that reads or writes PDF files without a licence from Adobe.

What is the difference between a PDF and a Word document?

A Word document is meant to be edited, so its layout can reflow depending on the software, fonts and settings on the machine opening it. A PDF is meant to be viewed and printed, so it carries its layout and fonts with it and appears the same everywhere. That makes PDF the usual choice for a final version and Word for a working draft.

Can a PDF be edited?

Yes, with software designed for it, though editing is generally more awkward than in a word processor because the file stores a finished page rather than a flowing document. Some PDFs are simply scanned images of paper, in which case the text has to be recognised before it can be searched or changed.