Xmas
Writing & Everyday abbreviation · Everyday
| Stands for | Christmas |
|---|---|
| Categories | Writing & Everyday |
Xmas stands for Christmas, an everyday abbreviation.
Common short form of Christmas used in advertising, cards, headlines and casual writing. The X represents the Greek letter chi, the first letter of Christos, meaning Christ.
Example: Our Xmas party is on December 19 at the office, with a gift swap capped at $25.
Usage notes
The X abbreviation for Christ appears in medieval manuscripts, and forms like X'temmas are recorded from the 16th century, so the term is not a modern secular invention, although some Christians object to it. AP style advises against Xmas in news writing. It is usually pronounced "Christmas," though "EX-mas" is common.