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

Depending on how long the conflict lasts, however, some facilities could elect to shorten or postpone their usual May and June maintenance schedules, he said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

“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 • Mar. 11, 2026

However, weather conditions can shorten the process to four days or prolong it for as long as a month, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

"It could force families to shorten trips, skip travel altogether or head overseas, spending their money elsewhere," they say.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

“By raising the left side,” he says, “I’ll know how much I have to shorten the pylon.”

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen

Related Words

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