for short

Idioms

Also, short for. As an abbreviation. For example, Richard prefers to be called Dick for short, or The Fed is short for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. [Mid-1800s]

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.

And there was: There had been some progress, with oxytetracycline, OTC for short, a powerful antibiotic that is used to treat chlamydia and sometimes syphilis in humans.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

The Apollo program was designed to send small crews there for short periods of time and bring them back, and not really to do anything there.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Yet the study’s researchers found a way for short sellers to profit: Focus on stocks whose borrowing costs are high, but not higher than 50%.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

After having physiotherapy, Leah can now walk with the help of a crutch and drive for short distances.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

She could walk for short distances, but it was sometimes very painful.

From "Forged by Fire" by Sharon M. Draper

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023