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

Acronyms, initialisms and slang help shorten our conversations. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024

If a pack is sitting on the hips correctly and not touching the shoulders, shorten the torso length or change pack size. —Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2024

And, over time, this can cause the Achilles tendon to shorten, further reducing its ability to carry a load. —Laura Lancaster, Outdoor Life, 11 Apr. 2024

Classroom hours have been severely shortened, compounding learning loss that began with the coronavirus pandemic. —Erin O’Brien, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Apr. 2024

Some evidence suggests that taking echinacea or zinc right at the start of a cold might shorten it. —Colleen Murphy, Health, 5 Apr. 2024

Sperry Commercial shortens to SPERRY Sperry Commercial Global Affiliates in Irvine is shortening its name to simply SPERRY. —Samantha Gowen, Orange County Register, 5 Apr. 2024

The shop recently shortened its hours to close at 2 p.m. Other nearby locations close at 7. —Savanna Smith, Sacramento Bee, 12 Apr. 2024

This interview with Butler has been shortened for clarity and brevity. —Deborah Barfield Berry, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 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