Acronyms are short forms of a name or phrase or as the case may be formed using the initials of the name or the words. For example- WHO (it stands for World Health Organization). It should not be confused with an abbreviation as an abbreviation is the shortened form of a word having part of the word and not just the initials, for example- Dr. is the abbreviation of Doctor, Prof. is the abbreviation of Professor.

Acronyms can be of various types-

1. formed using the initials as- WHO, NATO

2. it can be pronounced by pronouncing the initials, for example- WHO or the initials can be pronounced in the form of an entire word, for example-UNICEF, UNESCO, Radar etc.

Some acronyms we commonly encounter and their full forms:

*Pronounced as a single word:-

1. ASAP- as soon as possible

2. NASA- National Aeronautics and Space Administration

3. Radar- radio detection and ranging

4. aka- also known as

5. AIDS- Acquired Immuno Deficiency syndrome

6. gif- Graphics Interchange Format

* Pronounced through initials:-

1. DM- direct message

2. ATM- automated teller machine

3. FAQs- Frequently Asked Questions

4. idk- i don’t know

5. brb- be right back

6. a/c- air conditioning

7. ufo- unidentified foreign object

I hope this helps.