Synonyms

short-cut

American

[shawrt-kuht] / ˈʃɔrtˌkʌt /

verb (used with object)

short-cut, short-cutting

to cause to be shortened by the use of a shortcut.

verb (used without object)

short-cut, short-cutting

to use or take a shortcut.

short cut British

noun

a route that is shorter than the usual one
a means of saving time or effort

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

(intr) to use a short cut

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

short-cutter noun

Etymology

Origin of short-cut

First recorded in 1560–70

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.

The legislators, however, said they will fight Newsom’s attempt to short-cut the established process.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2025

Let’s try the Expedia plug-in as a short-cut.

From New York Times • Jun. 16, 2023

I wouldn't recommend serving with a short-cut pasta, though.

From Salon • Nov. 27, 2022

“Let’s see if we can short-cut that time as much as possible and make Aston Martin successful next season.”

From Seattle Times • Aug. 25, 2022

“There be things that’s evil in these woods tonight. I seed evil apassin’ my place a while ago, cornin’ in from the short-cut road to town and reelin’ in the saddle.

From "Across Five Aprils" by Irene Hunt

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