| ACQ | Aggregation-caused quenching |
| AIE | Aggregation-induced emission |
| ALP | Alkaline phosphatase |
| ASGPR | Asialoglycoprotein receptor |
| BODIPY | Boron-dipyrromethene |
| BSA | Serum albumin |
| CL | Chemiluminescence |
| CPT | Camptothecin |
| CTC | Charge transfer complex |
| Cys | Cysteine |
| FRET | Förster resonance energy transfer |
| GGT | Gamma glutamyltransferase |
| GSH | Glutathione |
| HAS | Human serum albumin |
| Hb | Hemoglobin |
| HOMO | Highest occupied molecular orbital |
| ICT | Intramolecular charge transfer |
| ISC | Intersystem crossing |
| LUMO | Lowest unoccupied molecular orbital |
| MB | Methylene blue |
| NIR | Near-infrared |
| NTR | Nitroreductase |
| OLEDs | Organic light-emitting diodes |
| PARP | Polymerase |
| PDT | Photodynamic therapy |
| PSs | Photosensitizers |
| PTT | Photothermal therapy |
| RB | Rose Bengal |
| RISC | Reverse intersystem crossing |
| RIM | Restricted intramolecular motion |
| ROS | Reactive oxygen species |
| SOC | Spin–orbit coupling |
| SWIR | Short-wave infrared |
| TADF | Thermally activated delayed fluorescence |
| TCF | Tricyanofuran |
| Tf | Transferrin |