Which term is a word formed from the initial letters of a multi-word name?

Which term is a word formed from the initial letters of a multi-word name?

• A. Initialism
• B. Acronym
• C. Acrostic
• D. Abbreviation

Answer: (B)

An acronym is a word formed from the initial letters of a multi-word name and pronounced as a single word. This matches the description in the question because it emphasizes turning those initials into one spoken word, like NATO or laser. An initialism, by contrast, is made from initials spoken letter by letter, such as FBI. An acrostic is a different idea altogether, using the initial letters of lines or sections to spell a word, not a name-based abbreviation. Abbreviation is a broader term for shortening, not necessarily creating a pronounceable word from initials. So the term that fits best is acronym.

An acronym is a word formed from the initial letters of a multi-word name and pronounced as a single word. This matches the description in the question because it emphasizes turning those initials into one spoken word, like NATO or laser. An initialism, by contrast, is made from initials spoken letter by letter, such as FBI. An acrostic is a different idea altogether, using the initial letters of lines or sections to spell a word, not a name-based abbreviation. Abbreviation is a broader term for shortening, not necessarily creating a pronounceable word from initials. So the term that fits best is acronym.