View synonyms for shorten

shorten

[ shawr-tn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to make short or shorter.
Synonyms: restrict, limit, lessen, condense
to reduce, decrease, take in, etc.:
to shorten sail.
to make (pastry, bread, etc.) short, as with butter or other fat.
Sports. choke ( def 8 ).

verb (used without object)

to become short or shorter.
Synonyms: lessen, contract
(of odds) to decrease.

shorten

/ ˈʃɔːtən /

verb

to make or become short or shorter
tr nautical to reduce the area of (sail)
tr to make (pastry, bread, etc) short, by adding butter or another fat
gambling to cause (the odds) to lessen or (of odds) to become less

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Derived Forms

ˈshortener, noun

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Other Words From

shorten·er noun
over·shorten verb
pre·shorten verb (used with object)
re·shorten verb
under·shorten verb (used with object)
un·shorten adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of shorten¹

First recorded in 1505–15; short + -en ¹

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Synonym Study

Shorten, abbreviate, abridge, curtail mean to make shorter or briefer. Shorten is a general word meaning to make less in extent or duration: to shorten a dress, a prisoner's sentence. The other three terms suggest methods of shortening. To abbreviate is to make shorter by omission or contraction: to abbreviate a word. To abridge is to reduce in length or size by condensing, summarizing, and the like: to abridge a document. Curtail suggests deprivation and lack of completeness because of omitting some part: to curtail an explanation.

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