Language References

---

Indicates an abbreviated form of a longer word or phrase.

HTML 4, 4.01, 5

HTML Syntax

<abbr
   class = classname
   id = value
   style = css properties
   title = text
   event = script
>

The ABBR element is used to define an abbreviation or an acronym, like W3C, HTML, CSS, DOM.

It is typically used with the title attribute to show the meaning or definition of the abbreviation when a user’s mouse hovers over the element.

The content within the <abbr>...</abbr> tags render with a dotted underline.

The <abbr> element has no attribute of its own, but supports global attributes common to all HTML elements.

NOTE: Both start and end tags are required.

Below is a basic example of using the <abbr> tag.

The <abbr title="World Wide Web Consortium">W3C</abbr> develops standards and guidelines for the web. 

which would render on a Web page as follows:

The W3C develops standards and guidelines for the Web.

The <abbr> element can contain other elements within its tags, but only those used for formatting text. In the case below, <b> tags are used, for emphasis.

The <abbr title="Web Hypertext Application Technology Working Group"><b>WHATWG</b></abbr> is a
   loose unofficial collaboration of web browser manufacturers and interested parties who wish 
   to develop new technologies designed to allow authors 
   to write and deploy applications over the World Wide Web.<

which would render as follows:

The WHATWG is a loose unofficial collaboration of web browser manufacturers and interested parties who wish to develop new technologies designed to allow authors to write and deploy applications over the World Wide Web.

ACRONYM