shortcut

American  

[shawrt-kuht] / ˈʃɔrtˌkʌt /

noun

• shortcuts
  plural

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.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• shortcutting
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• shortcuts
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of shortcut

First recorded in 1560–70; short + cut

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

shortcut shortcuts

But Flynn warned there was "no shortcut" to achieving independence.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

There’s no shortcut for getting proper advice for your specific financial situation.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026

Suddenly, the fast track looked, to some, like a shortcut.

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026

What if the producer on your next record says, “Hey, here’s a little shortcut we can use”? We already use little shortcuts — Auto-Tune is one.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

If she were walking down the sidewalk, it would’ve looked like she was taking a shortcut.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

Let’s not discount America’s addiction to purchasing shortcuts for happiness either, which Winfrey also knows very well.

From Salon ● Sep. 27, 2026

But he said management pressure, procedural shortcuts, discouraging open discussion about risks were ingredients for a poor safety culture.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

In quashing their determination, Mr Justice McAlinden was scathing in his observations, referring to "sloppy procedures" and "shortcuts".

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

What if the producer on your next record says, “Hey, here’s a little shortcut we can use”? We already use little shortcuts — Auto-Tune is one.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

He knows Washington’s back alleys and shortcuts and will guide Powell, who knows little about the city, to safety.

From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly

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