Latin Abbreviations
The following are Latin abbreviations that are still used commonly in English writing.
Abbreviations List
•
A.D. (Anno Domini) – in the year of the Lord
A.D. is used to describe years after the birth of Jesus. Prior years are abbreviated B.C. (Before Christ).
(Note: depending on the author, some people will put A.D. either before or after the year.)
Example: The Protestant Reformation began in AD 1517.
•
c. or ca. (circa) – around, approximately
This abbreviation is used to note inexact or approximate measurements.
Example: The bronze vase is dated c. 200 B.C (The vase was created around 200 B.C.)
•
cf. (confer) – bring together, compare
This is a way to reference another event or text for the purpose of comparison to the rest of your
writing. Bible scholars often use cf. to point out related passages or cross references.
Example: Noah’s flood and the twelve plagues in Egypt show a reversal of the way God created things—
all as a result of human sin (cf. Genesis 6-8; Exodus 7-10).
•
e.g. (exempli gratia) – for example, for instance
E.g. is used to give examples when illustrating a point. (See below for an e.g. and i.e. clarification.)
Example: Since he was young, Troy has been fascinated with amphibians (eg. newts, frogs, and toads).
•
et al. (et alli) – and others
Et al is used to denote a continued list of people. It is most often found in bibliographic citations.
Example: Kinzinger, et al. wrote that Romantic era poetry took a distinct anti-technology stance.
•
etc. (et cetera) – and so forth
This abbreviation is used to show the logical continuation of a list. The reader can then assume that
other things like the first part of your list are included in your idea.
Example: “Do you have everything you need for school?” my mom asked , “Backpack, lunchbox,
notebooks, etc.”
•
f. and ff. (folio, foliis) – and following
These abbreviations are most commonly used to reference page numbers in books or articles.
• f is singular. Page 28f means 28 and the following page, or pages 28-29.
• ff is plural. Page 28ff means 28 and the following pages, usually to the end of the section or
chapter.
•
ib. or ibid. (ibidem) – in the same place
Ibid. is used in footnotes to show that the author is referencing the same source he did in his last
footnote. It saves the writer time and space in not having to put all of the source information twice.
Example:
1. Lamott, Bird by Bird (New York: Anchor, 1995), p.25
2. ibid. pg.47
•
i.e. (id est) – that is, in other words
I.e. is used to succinctly clarify a statement. (See below for an e.g. and i.e. clarification.)
Example: The first picture of the Great Blue Marble (ie. the Earth) was taken in 1966.
•
N.B. (nota bene) – note well, pay attention
N.B. is used to call the reader's attention to particularly important information.
Example: N.B. Never mix bleach with ammonia. The combination is deadly.
•
no. (numero) – number
Example: I had a hard time solving problem no.6 in my Algebra homework last night.
•
P.S. (post scriptum) – after what has been written
Post Scripts are used most commonly in letter writing or emails. They are used to add on information
that the writer forgot to include in his main work.
Example:
Sincerely,
Mark
P.S. Could you send me that book you mentioned last week? I'd like to read it.
•
sic (sic erat scruptum) – thus it was written
Sic is not actually an abbreviation; it's just a common Latin word. It is most often needed when you are
quoting someone else's work, wherein the writer made a mistake. You need to preserve the integrity of
your source, so you can't alter the writer's words, but you can use sic to show that the error was
intentional rather than a simple mistype. Sic is usually written in brackets: [sic].
Example: “Their [sic] going with me to the movies tomorrow,” my sister told me.
•
v. or vs. (versus) – against
This is a pretty common abbreviation. It is used to contrast two opposing sides.
Example: The home game tomorrow is the CCS Eagles v. the West-Mont Wings.
Clarification: i.e. and e.g.
Often, i.e. and e.g. get mixed up when people write. This is because they are often used in similar
circumstances. However, i.e. is used to clarify or explain something further while e.g. is used to
e.g. provide an example. If you're trying to figure out which to use, the way to remember this is to think
of eggs: “E.g. is used to give an egg sample (example).”
Additional Resources
Gill, N. S. "Useful Common Latin Abbreviations Used in English." About.com Ancient / Classical History.
About.com, 2013. Web. 08 Nov. 2013. <http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/researchreference/p/
LatinAbbrev.htm>.
"Latin Terms and Abbreviations." UNC Writing Center. University of North Carolina College of Arts and Sciences,
2012. Web. 08 Nov. 2013. <http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/latin-terms-and-abbreviations/ >.