shorten

verb

short·​en ˈshȯr-tᵊn 

shortened; shortening ˈshȯrt-niŋ 

ˈshȯr-tᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: to reduce the length or duration of

b

: to cause to seem short

2

a

: to reduce in power or efficiency

is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem

—Isaiah 50:2 (Revised Standard Version)

b

obsolete : to deprive of effect

3

: to add fat to (something, such as pastry dough) in order to make tender and flaky

intransitive verb

: to become short or shorter

shortener

ˈshȯrt-nər 

ˈshȯr-tᵊn-ər

noun

Synonyms

• abbreviate
• abridge
• curtail
• cut back
• dock
• elide
• syncopate
• truncate

Choose the Right Synonym for shorten

shorten, curtail, abbreviate, abridge, retrench mean to reduce in extent.

shorten implies reduction in length or duration.

shorten a speech

curtail adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy.

ceremonies curtailed because of rain

abbreviate implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part.

using an abbreviated title

abridge implies a reduction in compass or scope with retention of essential elements and a relative completeness in the result.

the abridged version of the novel

retrench suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive.

declining business forced the company to retrench

Examples of shorten in a Sentence

shorten a pair of pants

He had to shorten the speech.

“Franklin D. Roosevelt” is often shortened to “FDR.”

Recent Examples on the Web

In some states, crab season will shorten if fish and wildlife experts detect a species' population number is too low. —Coastal Living, Southern Living, 4 June 2024

The action star shortened his mother's maiden name Vincent to get his new first name. —Jodi Guglielmi, Peoplemag, 31 May 2024

The gear ratios remain the same as those of the outgoing Vantage, but the e-diff’s final drive ratio has been shortened to deliver faster acceleration. —Angus MacKenzie, Robb Report, 12 May 2024

The most significant improvements Adell made have been shortening his swing and improving his strike zone discipline. —Kyle Glaser, Orange County Register, 11 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

shorten

verb

short·​en ˈshȯrt-ᵊn 

shortened; shortening ˈshȯrt-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

1

: to make or become short or shorter

2

: to add shortening to (as pastry dough)

shortener

-nər 

-ᵊn-ər

noun