shorten
Americanverb (used with object)
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shortens,
present (3rd person singular)
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shortened,
past participle, past
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shortening
present participle
verb
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to make or become short or shorter
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(tr) nautical to reduce the area of (sail)
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(tr) to make (pastry, bread, etc) short, by adding butter or another fat
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gambling to cause (the odds) to lessen or (of odds) to become less
Synonym Usage
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
Derived Forms
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shortenernoun
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overshortenverb
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reshortenverb
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preshortenverb (used with object)
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undershortenverb (used with object)
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unshortenadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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shortensimple
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shortenssimple
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have shortenedperfect
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has shortenedperfect
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am shorteningprogressive
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are shorteningprogressive
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is shorteningprogressive
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have been shorteningperfect progressive
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has been shorteningperfect progressive
Past
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shortenedsimple
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had shortenedperfect
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was shorteningprogressive
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were shorteningprogressive
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had been shorteningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of shorten
Vocabulary lists containing shorten
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“This shift will also reduce competing rail traffic and shorten potential weather-related delays for other carriers, including Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and freight trains, that operate along the beachfront corridor near San Clemente.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026
It added: "The IDF does not shorten or forgo examination or investigative procedures in order to meet external timelines."
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026
The disease can also lower crop yields and shorten shelf life, making it a costly challenge for mushroom farms across the United States.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026
Carney has said that he aims to narrow the review process for projects and shorten the process to one year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
I figured if I shorten it, God will hear this time, cause I’m starting to slowly fall apart.
From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles
The results therefore do not show that taking a tyrosine supplement shortens lifespan.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 6, 2026
The problem, Shurety points out, is that longer fire seasons and more rain during cooler months shortens the window that such burns can be carried out.
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026
This setup reduces Nebius’ dependence on building new grid transmissions and shortens the timeline to power its facilities, the company said.
From Barron's ● May 21, 2026
That density shortens iteration cycles, improves yields, accelerates ramp-up and compounds tacit knowledge.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 13, 2026
“The king shortens no man’s shadow, though he may try,” Estraven remarked, and the cook looked satisfied.
From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin
The site also considered affordability, data centre, odyssey, and the shortened form of uncle, "unc", as potential words of the year.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026
In 2024, the firm shortened its identity to just “Freshfields,” dropped the angelic emblem in external communications and began using block lettering more synonymous with online startups and streetwear brands.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
President Lee Jae Myung hailed the successful voyage, saying it "shortened the one-way sailing time by 10 days compared with the conventional route via the Suez Canal".
From Barron's ● Oct. 11, 2026
He signed with World Wrestling Entertainment in 2012 and was given the name Adrian Neville, later shortened to just Neville.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026
As the hoofbeats grew nearer, she pulled her sun- bonnet farther down over her face and shortened the length of her steps, edging over to the side of the narrow road, hitching along.
From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry
Both measures can lower costs by shortening shipping distances and reducing packaging, making it even harder to determine how much of the savings comes from newer AI systems.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 28, 2026
But the shortening maturity of banks’ portfolios can help to cushion that move, because shorter-term bond prices are less sensitive to yield changes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
One phrase highlighted in her research is "incompetent cervix" used to describe the shortening of the cervix that can increase risks of pregnancy loss and early birth.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026
The Danish drugmaker is shortening its name to Novo, but it will take more than a lean rebrand to win back Wall Street.
From Barron's ● Sep. 14, 2026
Contrary to popular opinion, till isn't a shortening of until.
From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner
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