What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shorter
Example
The shorter route to the store is through the park. [shorter: comparative adjective]
Example
He is shorter than his brother by a few inches. [shorter: comparative adjective]
Example
The shorter meeting lasted only 30 minutes. [shorter: comparative adjective]
smaller
Example
The smaller box can fit inside the larger one. [smaller: comparative adjective]
Example
She has a smaller collection of books than her friend. [smaller: comparative adjective]
Example
The smaller details are often overlooked in the bigger picture. [smaller: comparative adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Smaller is more commonly used than shorter in everyday language. Smaller is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while shorter is less common and refers to a specific attribute such as length or duration.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shorter and smaller?
Both shorter and smaller are considered neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
