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View synonyms for

shorten

[ shawr-tn ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to make short or shorter.

    Synonyms: , , ,

  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 ( def 8 ).


verb (used without object)

  1. to become short or shorter.

    Synonyms: ,

  2. (of odds) to decrease.

shorten

/ ˈʃɔːə /

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
“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
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Derived Forms

  • ˈǰٱԱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ǰIJ· noun
  • v·ǰIJ verb
  • ·ǰIJ verb (used with object)
  • ·ǰIJ verb
  • ܲd·ǰIJ verb (used with object)
  • ܲ·ǰIJ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of shorten1

First recorded in 1505–15; short + -en 1
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Synonym Study

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.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The conversation turns to chin implants, upper-lip shortening, and nose surgery.

From

The nickname, shortened to Wink after he got into radio, stuck — with one exception.

From

These procedures help identify potential future issues, it adds, enabling preventative action to be taken - which improves patient outcomes, shortens treatment plans, and are therefore more cost effective overall.

From

Studio executives have said shortened windows may be part of why audiences haven’t flocked back to theaters since the pandemic.

From

The federal government runs a persistent deficit and that's OK, especially over the business cycle, since running large deficits during recessions is a way to shorten them.

From

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short-eared owlshortened form