shorthand

noun

short·​hand ˈshȯrt-ˌhand 

1

: a method of writing rapidly by substituting characters, abbreviations, or symbols for letters, sounds, words, or phrases : stenography

2

: something likened to shorthand especially in providing rapid or abbreviated communication or representation

stereotype and cliché serve a purpose as a form of shorthand

—Stephanie Ericsson

headline shorthand

shorthand adjective

Examples of shorthand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The site that gave us milkshake duck (shorthand for discovering an overnight celebrity’s racist, sexist, or otherwise objectionable posts) has, post-2022, contributed noticeably less in the way of argot. —Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2025

But, similar to the use of Critical Race Theory or CRT in politics, DEI has also become a shorthand among conservatives for any effort to address systemic racism’s role in U.S. history or politics. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2025

Contests in commercial work will be conducted at the high school April 12, in beginning typewriting, advance typewriting and shorthand for schools in this district. —Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025

In the shorthand of the tech industry, Elon Musk has hacked into the government. —David Ingram, NBC News, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1636, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing shorthand

• in shorthand
• shorthand reporter
• shorthand typist
• take shorthand

Rhymes for shorthand

• armband
• backhand
• bandstand
• baseband
• broadband
• command
• cropland
• demand
• disband
• dreamland
• expand
• farmhand

Kids Definition

shorthand

noun

short·​hand ˈshȯrt-ˌhand 

1

: a method of rapid writing by using symbols for sounds, words, or phrases

2

: a short or quick way of showing or saying something

shorthand adjective