Meaning & Definition of Shorten in English
English⟶
Shorten
/ʃɔrtən/
verb
1. Make shorter than originally intended
- Reduce or retrench in length or duration
- "He shortened his trip due to illness"
synonym:
- shorten
2. Reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
- "The manuscript must be shortened"
synonym:
- abridge,
- foreshorten,
- abbreviate,
- shorten,
- cut,
- contract,
- reduce
3. Make short or shorter
- "Shorten the skirt"
- "Shorten the rope by a few inches"
synonym:
- shorten
4. Become short or shorter
- "In winter, the days shorten"
synonym:
- shorten
5. Edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
- "Bowdlerize a novel"
synonym:
- bowdlerize,
- bowdlerise,
- expurgate,
- castrate,
- shorten