curtail

¹ American  

[ker-teyl] / kərˈteɪl /

verb (used with object)

1. to cut short; cut off a part of; abridge; reduce; diminish.

   Synonyms:

   dock, lessen

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curtail ² American  

[kur-teyl] / ˈkɜrˌteɪl /

noun

Architecture.

1. a horizontal, spiral termination to the lower end of a stair railing.

2. Also called curtail step.  a starting step having a scroll termination to one or both ends of the tread.

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curtail British  

/ kɜːˈteɪl /

verb

1. (tr) to cut short; abridge

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Related Words

See shorten.

Other Word Forms

• curtailedly adverb
• curtailer noun
• curtailment noun
• noncurtailing adjective
• uncurtailed adjective

Etymology

Origin of curtail¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English curtailen “to restrict” (said of royal succession or inheritance), probably a conflation of Middle French courtau(l)d ( curtal ) and Middle English taillen “to cut” ( taille, tailor ¹ )

Origin of curtail²

Probably alteration, by folk etymology, of curtal

Example Sentences

When the extension cords running to the back popped the circuit breakers, repeatedly, he tried to curtail electricity usage in the camp.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

Treasury Wine Estates said in December it would curtail future shipments to China.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Bank trade associations have said such offerings could drain deposits from depository institutions, which often pay little interest, and curtail lending.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

For years, nutrition scientists, food-policy researchers and public-health advocates have called for a definition of UPFs, along with policy changes that could help curtail their presence in our food supply.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

It takes every ounce of self control I have to stop myself and curtail my biological imperative.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Related Words

• cut back
• decrease
• diminish
• downsize
• halt
• lessen
• reduce
• shorten
• slash
• trim