shorten

verb

short·​en ˈshȯr-tᵊn How to pronounce shorten (audio)
shortened; shortening ˈshȯrt-niŋ How to pronounce shorten (audio)
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 redeemIsaiah 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 How to pronounce shorten (audio)
noun
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While many top 10 hits give the listener more chorus as a song progresses, the ‘Blinding Lights’ creators actually shorten the chorus as the song progresses. Gary Trust, Billboard, 10 Jan. 2025 The state is also working on streamlining paperwork for transfers and shortening transition timelines. A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025 Shelf-stable foods last a long time at cooler temperatures, but that lifespan can shorten considerably in the heat. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2025 Some countries, such as France, Germany, and Greece, have shortened asylum processing times. Amy Pope, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for shorten 

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of shorten was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near shorten

Cite this Entry

“Shorten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shorten. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

shorten

verb
short·​en ˈshȯrt-ᵊn How to pronounce shorten (audio)
shortened; shortening ˈshȯrt-niŋ How to pronounce shorten (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
1
: to make or become short or shorter
2
: to add shortening to (as pastry dough)
shortener
-nər How to pronounce shorten (audio)
-ᵊn-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on shorten

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