shortcut

American  

[shawrt-kuht] / ˈʃɔrtˌkʌt /

noun

1. a shorter or quicker way.

2. a method, procedure, policy, etc., that reduces the time or energy needed to accomplish something.

3. Computers.

   1. a link to a software application, file, or website, usually represented as a graphical icon that can be clicked on to quickly access or open it.

      You can create a desktop shortcut to a web page you've visited.

   2. Also called keyboard shortcut.  hotkey.

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adjective

1. constituting or providing a shorter or quicker way.

   shortcut methods.

Etymology

Origin of shortcut

First recorded in 1560–70; short + cut

Example Sentences

Shortcut homework assignment: Watch “Black Bird” as Hauser is likely to win the Emmy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2023

There’s a shared lesson from these three teams: Shortcut trades are trendy and hard to resist, but they probably won’t deliver transformational results unless transformational players are involved.

From Washington Post • Apr. 24, 2023

Multiple functions can be assigned to the Accessibility Shortcut.

From The Verge • May 5, 2022

Today, iRobot announced native Siri Shortcut integration for its line of vacuums and mops, joining Roborock as one of only a handful of smart vacuum manufacturers to work with Apple’s voice assistant.

From The Verge • Mar. 17, 2022

As Dr. Ollapod, and Dr. Pangloss, and Tobias Shortcut, he has won laurels that would make him a comedian of the first rank.

From Great Fortunes, and How They Were Made by McCabe, James Dabney