Acronym Expander

Overview

The Acronym Expander API resolves an acronym to its full meaning using a two-tier lookup: first checking a built-in dictionary of 28 common acronyms (technology, business, and general terms like API, CEO, FAQ), then falling back to an AI model when the input isn't in the dictionary. The `source` field on every response tells you which path was taken — `dictionary` for direct hits, `ai` for AI-generated expansions. Dictionary hits always return exactly one expansion; AI responses return up to three in descending order of likelihood. An optional `context` parameter (paid plans only) refines the AI path by biasing the model toward a specific domain — it has no effect on dictionary hits, which are deterministic and ignore context entirely.

Endpoint

One host, one path per API. The block below shows this call in four languages; every one of them is the same HTTP request. Making requests covers the timeouts, retries and parameter rules that apply to all of them. The SDKs wrap the same call in a typed client.

curl "https://api.apiverve.com/v1/acronymexpander?acronym=API&context=software" \
  -H "x-api-key: your_api_key_here"

const res = await fetch('https://api.apiverve.com/v1/acronymexpander?acronym=API&context=software', {
  headers: { 'x-api-key': 'your_api_key_here' },
});

if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`${res.status} ${await res.text()}`);

const { data } = await res.json();
console.log(data);

import requests

res = requests.get(
    "https://api.apiverve.com/v1/acronymexpander?acronym=API&context=software",
    headers={"x-api-key": "your_api_key_here"},
    timeout=15,
)
res.raise_for_status()

print(res.json()["data"])

package main

import (
	"fmt"
	"io"
	"net/http"
)

func main() {
	req, _ := http.NewRequest("GET", "https://api.apiverve.com/v1/acronymexpander?acronym=API&context=software", nil)
	req.Header.Set("x-api-key", "your_api_key_here")

	res, err := http.DefaultClient.Do(req)
	if err != nil {
		panic(err)
	}
	defer res.Body.Close()

	out, _ := io.ReadAll(res.Body)
	fmt.Println(string(out))
}

Replace your_api_key_here with the key from your dashboard. When the inputs arrive as a list rather than one at a time, batch requests run up to 200 of them through this same API in a single call.

Authentication

Send your key in the x-api-key header. That is the only auth step — there is no token exchange and no per-endpoint scope to configure. Authentication covers creating, rotating and revoking keys.

Parameters

Sent in the query string. Premium parameters are accepted on every plan but only take effect on plans that include them.

Response

Every API returns the same three top-level keys, so one response handler covers your whole integration: status, error and data. Only data changes shape. Response format covers the envelope, the other output formats and how premium fields are withheld.

{
  "status": "ok",
  "error": null,
  "data": {
    "acronym": "API",
    "expansions": [
      {
        "expansion": "Application Programming Interface",
        "description": "A set of protocols for building software",
        "category": "technology"
      }
    ],
    "most_common": {
      "expansion": "Application Programming Interface",
      "description": "A set of protocols for building software",
      "category": "technology"
    },
    "source": "dictionary",
    "context_provided": "software"
  }
}

Response fields

Paths are relative to data. Premium fields are absent rather than zeroed on plans that do not include them, so check for presence instead of comparing to 0.

Errors

Read the HTTP status first, then error for the specific reason. The body names the parameter that has to change. Error handling covers the full status list and which of them are worth retrying.

Use cases

Document Processing

Automatically expand acronyms in documents and technical writing for improved readability

Content Understanding

Help readers understand technical content and jargon by expanding acronyms in context

Technical Documentation

Create glossaries and expand acronyms in technical documentation automatically

Learning Tools

Build educational tools that help users learn and understand acronyms in various domains

Other ways to use Acronym Expander

Set up Acronym Expander on APIVerve, or reach the same source a different way. Your APIVerve account and credits work on all of them — one key, one balance.

Related

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