Common English Abbreviations and What They Mean

Abbreviations are everywhere in English, from text messages and emails to airports and films. Knowing what they stand for helps you understand faster and communicate more efficiently. In this video, you will learn six common abbreviations. 'ETA' means Estimated Time of Arrival. You will see it in travel apps and hear it in messages like 'What's your ETA?' 'ID' means Identification, the document that proves who you are. 'GPS' stands for Global Positioning System, the technology in maps and phones that shows your location. 'UFO' means Unidentified Flying Object, often used when people talk about aliens. 'FYI' means For Your Information. It is very common in work emails when sharing information that does not require action. 'SOS' is an international distress signal used in emergencies. It is often explained as 'Save Our Souls', although it was originally chosen because it is easy to send in Morse code. Notice that most abbreviations are pronounced letter by letter, like E-T-A, while some, like UFO, can also be said as a word. Watch the video, repeat each abbreviation and its meaning, and try to spot them in your daily life.