21 Common Business Abbreviations and Acronyms

The English language is full of business abbreviations and acronyms. Long company names and phrases might be abbreviated to save time during communication. Typically, you might see these business abbreviations in emails, memos, spreadsheets, or even text messages with your colleagues.

It is important to understand what these business abbreviations mean so that you will understand exactly what your colleagues are saying to you. Below you will find 21 of the most common business abbreviations and acronyms as well as an example sentence of them in use.

Enjoy learning!

1. e.g. - For example (Latin = exempli gratia)
   
   They have a few production plants in Asia, e.g. South Korea and Taiwan.
   
   

2. i.e. - Gives the exact meaning of something you have just written or said. That is to say/In other words (Latin = id est, often confused with eg by native speakers)
   
   Due to evolving employee expectations, we are reviewing our remote work policies, ie. we are setting limitations around working hours and connectivity and responding to the challenges of collaboration and engagement.
   
   

3. NB - Take note (Latin = nota bene)
   
   NB: Meeting this Friday!
   
   

4. Re - Regarding (Often used in Email replies)
   
   Re: Responding to your email
   
   

5. ASAP - As soon as possible
   
   We need your valuable input asap.
   
   

6. FYI - For your information
   
   FYI The deadline has moved by a month.
   
   

7. TBD - To be decided
   
   The exact timing of the team-building event is TBD.
   
   

8. TBC - To be confirmed
   
   The launch date is TBC.
   
   

9. ETA - Estimated time of arrival
   
   What's your ETA tomorrow?
   

10. ETD - Estimated date of departure
    
    What is your ETD?
    

11. BTW - By the way
    
    BTW, have you had a chance to speak to the CEO yet?
    
    

12. TBH - To be honest
    
    TBH, I don’t feel well today and I cannot go out.
    
    

13. COP - Close of play (meaning at the end of the day, usually a deadline)
    
    Make sure you email our partners COP.
    
    

14. Wed COP - Wednesday close of play
    
    And send them a follow-up email Wed COP.
    
    

15. EOD - End of the day (identical to COP)
    
    Join us for an after-work social night EOD!
    
    

16. BAU - Business as usual
    
    Despite current events, everything is BAU.
    
    

17. T/O - Turnover
    
    T/O is up 3%, on target.
    
    

18. YTD - Year to date
    
    What are our sales YTD?
    
    

19. LBE - Latest business estimate
    
    Let’s review the LBE.
    
    

20. QBR - Quarterly business review
    
    It is time for our QBR.
    

21. POC - Proof of concept
    
    I'd like to see the POC, please.
    
    

If you are looking to discuss your company’s Business English communication needs or Presentation communication needs, I offer free 30-minute consultations through the contact page of my site. I’d love to meet you.