shorten Definition
- 1make or become shorter in length or duration
- 2reduce the length of (a piece of writing) by condensing or rewriting it
Using shorten: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "shorten" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
I need to shorten my skirt before the party tonight.
Example
The teacher asked me to shorten my essay to two pages.
Example
The company decided to shorten the workweek to four days.
Example
The movie was shortened by 20 minutes for the TV version.
shorten Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with shorten
Example
He had to shorten his stride to keep up with his young daughter.
Example
The new policy will help to shorten the odds of success for small businesses.
Example
The constant noise from the construction site has shortened my fuse lately.
Summary: shorten in Brief
To 'shorten' [ˈʃɔːtn] means to reduce the length or duration of something, such as a piece of writing or a workweek. It can also refer to making something physically shorter, like a skirt. Phrases like 'shorten one's stride' and 'shorten the odds' extend the meaning to taking smaller steps or making something more likely to happen. 'Shorten' is often used formally, as in 'The report needs to be shortened,' but can also be used informally, as in 'Can you cut down this article?'