shorten

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see also: Shorten

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Pronunciation

• (British) IPA: /ˈʃɔːtən/
• (America) IPA: /ˈʃɔɹtən/

Verb

shorten (shortens, present participle shortening; past and past participle shortened)

1. (transitive) To make shorter; to abbreviate.
   • 1877, Anna Sewell, Black Beauty Chapter 22

     York came round to our heads and shortened the rein himself, one hole I think; every little makes a difference, be it for better or worse, and that day we had a steep hill to go up.

2. (intransitive) To become shorter.
3. (transitive) To make deficient (as to); to deprive (of).

   • Spoiled of his nose, and shortened of his ears.

4. (transitive) To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard, etc.
5. (transitive) To reduce or diminish in amount, quantity, or extent; to lessen.

   to shorten an allowance of food

   • Here, where the subject is so fruitful, I am shortened by my chain.

6. (nautical, transitive) To take in the slack of (a rope).
7. (nautical, transitive) To reduce (sail) by taking it in.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:shorten

Antonyms

• extend
• lengthen

Translations

• French: raccourcir, écourter
• German: verkürzen
• Italian: scorciare
• Portuguese: encurtar
• Russian: укора́чивать
• Spanish: acortar, abreviar, reducir

Translations

• French: raccourcir, écourter
• German: kürzer werden
• Portuguese: encurtar
• Russian: укора́чиваться
• Spanish: acortarse

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Shorten

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Proper noun

1. Surname

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