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

This gives districts the flexibility to extend the school day and shorten the week. —Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024

Additionally, their ability to thrive in low-oxygen environments might reduce the stress that would otherwise shorten their life expectancy. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

Stress can also alter hormone levels, which can shorten or lengthen your cycle.15 Birth control methods like hormonal contraceptive pills often shorten your cycle to a specific timeline. —Carley Millhone, Health, 13 Dec. 2024

Gigs takes over that process, as well as customer service and tax calculation automation, Frank says, shortening the setup process to weeks and cutting costs. —Lucinda Shen, Axios, 12 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