Abo

or ab·o

[ Ab-oh ]

noun,plural Ab·os.
  1. a contemptuous term used to refer to an Australian Aboriginal person.

Origin of Abo

1
First recorded in 1905–10; by shortening; see -o

usage note For Abo

Since Abo is simply a shortened form of Aborigine or Aboriginal, one could easily think that it is as neutral and inoffensive a term as Aussie is for an Australian. However, Abo is as highly offensive to Australian Aboriginal people as nigger is to African Americans in the United States.

Words Nearby Abo

Other definitions for ABO (2 of 3)

ABO

abbreviationPhysiology.

Other definitions for Åbo (3 of 3)

Åbo
[ aw-boo ]

noun
  1. Swedish name of Turku.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use Abo in a sentence

  • Therefore I took the midnight train back to Abo, arriving at the hotel next morning.

    The Czar's Spy | William Le Queux
  • It was a festive occasion, and the élite and fashion of Abo were assembled there in their best attire.

    The Land of Thor | J. Ross Browne
  • He met Alexander personally, agreeing with him on plans of mutual action, at Abo in 1812.

    Sweden | Victor Nilsson

British Dictionary definitions for Abo (1 of 2)

Abo

/ (ˈæbəʊ) /


nounplural Abos (sometimes not capital) Australian old-fashioned, taboo
    • short for Aborigine

    • (as modifier): an Abo reserve

usage For Abo

This once quite common word is now completely unacceptable

British Dictionary definitions for Åbo (2 of 2)

Åbo

/ (ˈoːbuː) /


noun
  1. the Swedish name for Turku

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012