WordGarden.ioshorten
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /ʃˈɔːtən/
US
- /ˈʃɔrtən/
Meanings
Verb
to make or become shorter in physical extent
to make a period, event, or activity last less time
to make speech, writing, or a name briefer
Beyond the definition
Imagine a tailor working on a long dress. If it's too long for the wearer, they will shorten it, making it less long so it fits better. That's what "shorten" means: to make something less long or to make it take less time. You can shorten a video by editing out the boring parts, or shorten your commute by taking a more direct route. It's about reducing length or time, in a real or less direct way. A story might be shortened for younger readers to keep them engaged, and a vacation can be shortened because of unexpected problems.
To shorten something means to reduce its length, duration, or extent. It implies making something less long than it originally was, and it can apply in many contexts, from physical objects to abstract things.
Think about a carpenter shortening a piece of wood to fit a specific frame, or a chef shortening the cooking time for a recipe to keep a vegetable crisp. These are direct examples of physical and temporal reduction. You can also shorten a story by removing unnecessary details, or shorten a meeting by sticking strictly to the agenda.
The word often implies a deliberate act of reduction to achieve a goal. A road might be shortened by the construction of a tunnel, and a list can be shortened by eliminating redundant items. However, it can also describe natural or accidental processes, such as the days shortening as winter approaches or a garment shortening after being washed in hot water.
Sometimes "shorten" refers to making a piece of communication less complex or more concise. For example, a lawyer might shorten a long legal brief so a client can quickly grasp the main points. It is essentially about streamlining and simplifying. Whether you are trimming fabric, condensing information, or finding a quicker path, shorten is all about reducing length or time to reach a desired result.
Examples
- 1
Tailoring
The tailor shortened my trousers by two inches.
- 2
Meeting request
Could we shorten the meeting? I have a train to catch.
- 3
Travel time
The new bridge will shorten the drive into town.
- 4
Day length
After June, the days slowly begin to shorten.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Name form
His full name is Benjamin, but it's usually shortened to Ben.
- Patternshortened to + short form
made into that shorter form
- 6
Editing limit
The editor asked me to shorten the report to two pages.
- Patternshorten something to + length
reduce it so it has that length
- 7
Planning
Good planning can shorten the time it takes to finish the job.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- shorten by two inches
- shorten to ten minutes
- shorten a name
- shorten a skirt
Word family
Explore
- editing for brevity
- compression
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- shortenverb
Forms
- shortenedpast tenseverb
- shortening-ing formverb
- shortensverb