Abbreviation for original equipment manufacturer. Abbreviation OK to use after initial explanation. Plural: OEMs.
Word List
The Yahoo! Word List
The Yahoo! word list covers terms related to communications, technology, branding, and other topics that our U.S. editors have encountered frequently. Following is a healthy sampling of the full Yahoo! word list. (We update the online list quarterly—see what’s new.)
These are the decisions that Yahoo! has come to after years of writing and editing for the Web. You may naturally make different choices and have different entries, but our word list can be useful as a springboard or as an additional reference.
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OEM
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offline
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offscreen
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OK
All capitals, no periods, no space. Not okay, Ok, or ok. Other acceptable forms: OKs (n. pl.); OK's, OK'ed, OK'ing (v.). Examples: House OK's Budget Plan. Senators Give Reluctant OKs. Avoid the abbreviated verb form where space is not a concern and use a verb like approves. [Updated to add verb forms with examples.]
Updated on January 21, 2011 -
online
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onscreen
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open source (n.), open-source (adj.)
Two words when used as a noun, hyphenated when used as an adjective. Example: With open-source software, individuals can study the software’s source code and try to improve the product.
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opened fire
Not open fired.
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opt-in (n., adj.), opt in (v.)
Hyphenated as a noun or an adjective. Two words as a verb. Examples: The opt-in has been disabled. Read our opt-in policy. To receive electronic statements, you must opt in.
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OS
Abbreviation for operating system. Abbreviation OK to use after initial explanation. Plural: OSes.
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ounce
An acceptable abbreviation for ounce(s) is oz. (note period).
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outbox
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overclocking (n.), overclock (v.)
One word. Refers to practice of adjusting a computer’s CPU to make it run faster than the manufacturer intended it to.
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oz.
Acceptable abbreviation for ounce(s). Note period. Include a space between the number and oz. For information about when it’s OK to use the abbreviation, see “Units of Measure.”
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