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

One of the most difficult parts of wedding planning is shortening the guest list. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024

The goal of the rule, which applies to satellites licensed by the FCC or seeking access to the U.S. market, is to reduce the amount of debris above the Earth by shortening the time objects spend in orbit. —David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024

To help shorten the gap between Seasons 2 and 3, The Diplomat got a head start on Season 3 with an early renewal before Season 2 had debuted. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2024

In addition to shortening lines, some new chairs are bringing skiers to formerly hard-to-reach terrain, another way resorts are trying to disperse the crowds. —Crai S. Bower, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Dec. 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