shorten

American  

[shawr-tn] / ˈʃɔr tn /

verb (used with object)

1. to make short or shorter.

   Synonyms:

   restrict, limit, lessen, condense

2. to reduce, decrease, take in, etc..

   to shorten sail.

3. to make (pastry, bread, etc.) short, as with butter or other fat.

4. Sports. choke.

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verb (used without object)

1. to become short or shorter.

   Synonyms:

   lessen, contract

2. (of odds) to decrease.

shorten British  

/ ˈʃɔːtən /

verb

1. to make or become short or shorter

2. (tr) nautical to reduce the area of (sail)

3. (tr) to make (pastry, bread, etc) short, by adding butter or another fat

4. gambling to cause (the odds) to lessen or (of odds) to become less

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Related Words

Shorten, abbreviate, abridge, curtail mean to make shorter or briefer. Shorten is a general word meaning to make less in extent or duration: to shorten a dress, a prisoner's sentence. The other three terms suggest methods of shortening. To abbreviate is to make shorter by omission or contraction: to abbreviate a word. To abridge is to reduce in length or size by condensing, summarizing, and the like: to abridge a document. Curtail suggests deprivation and lack of completeness because of omitting some part: to curtail an explanation.

Other Word Forms

• overshorten verb
• preshorten verb (used with object)
• reshorten verb
• shortener noun
• undershorten verb (used with object)
• unshorten adjective

Etymology

Origin of shorten

First recorded in 1505–15; short + -en ¹

Example Sentences

“The biggest challenge for consumer product companies is, how do you shorten that innovation cycle,” and move into the marketplace quickly, said Burwick.

From The Wall Street Journal

In an August quarterly earnings call, Beyond Chief Executive Ethan Brown said the shortened name “provides for reduced emphasis on facsimile, a now-complicated frame that overshadows the real, high-quality protein offerings we provide to consumers.”

From Los Angeles Times

The urgency has grown as his career runway shortens.

From Los Angeles Times

Most recently, complaints around the staccato beat from pickleball games prompted local authorities to shorten court hours and put out noise reminders.

From BBC

In the event the races do not take place, there is unlikely to be a replacement, which would shorten the season to 22 grands prix.

From BBC

Related Words

• abbreviate
• compress
• curtail
• cut
• cut back
• cut down
• lessen
• minimize
• reduce
• shrink
• slash
• trim