Short
/ʃɔːrt/
Definitions
3 meaningsHaving a small length or duration; not long.
/ʃɔːrt/
Of a small length or duration.
He is short for his age.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're at the store, and you only have a little bit of money. You're 'short' on cash! Or, if your hair isn't very long, it's 'short'.
👶 For kids: Not long or tall.
More Examples
The meeting was kept short.
The story was short and sweet.
How It's Used
"The book is short and easy to read."
"The company is short on cash."
"The basketball player was short for a center."
To be or become short of something (money, supplies, etc.).
/ʃɔːrt/
To be or become short of something.
The company was short on supplies.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to buy your favorite candy, but you're missing a coin. You're 'short' the money you need!
👶 For kids: To not have enough of something.
More Examples
I am short of patience right now.
The store is currently short on staff.
How It's Used
"To short a stock."
"He was short a dollar."
A shortened or abbreviated form; a brief period of time; a pair of short trousers.
/ʃɔːrt/
A shortened or abbreviated form.
He went for a swim in his shorts.
💡 Simply: When the weather is hot, you might wear 'shorts'. Or, a 'short' story is a quick read.
👶 For kids: A type of clothing, or when something is not long.
More Examples
She wrote a short story about her dog.
The movie was only a short.
How It's Used
"She wore shorts at the beach."
"Covering a short in the market can be risky."
Synonyms
Brief
Concise
Limited
Deficient
Lack
Need
Abbreviation
Idioms & expressions
in short
Briefly; in summary.
"In short, we're going to need more help."
short and sweet
Concise and pleasant.
"The speech was short and sweet."
From Old English *sceort* meaning 'brief, not long,' from Proto-Germanic *skurta-.
Used since Old English, evolving from the Germanic root reflecting brevity and lack of length.
Memory tip
Think of a short road trip, or a short story.