Shorten

/ˈʃɔːrtən/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To make something shorter in length, duration, or extent.

She decided to shorten the hem of her dress for a more fashionable look.

To reduce the amount or duration of something.

The teacher needed to shorten the lecture to fit the time constraints.

To abbreviate or cut down on the size or number of something.

He aimed to shorten his response to the email to keep it concise.

From Middle English 'shorten', from 'short' + '-en' (to make or become).

Shorten the distance

To reduce the space between two points.

Shorten your breath

To make breathing difficult or less effective, often due to exertion.

Shorten the odds

To make something more likely to happen.

short

Having little length.

brief

Short in duration or extent.

condense

To make denser or more compact.

Cut down

Let's cut down the story and get to the point.

Trim it

We should trim it to make it more appealing.