Shorten
/ˈʃɔːrtən/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo reduce the length or duration of something.
/ˈʃɔːrtən/
To make something shorter
Can you please shorten this document?
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a really long piece of string, and you want to make it shorter so it fits perfectly. 'Shorten' means doing just that!
👶 For kids: To make something not as long.
More Examples
The tailor will shorten the sleeves on my coat.
We need to shorten the meeting to stay on schedule.
How It's Used
"She needed to shorten the hem of her dress."
"The company aims to shorten the production cycle."
To become shorter.
/ˈʃɔːrtən/
To become shorter
The days begin to shorten after the summer solstice.
💡 Simply: Like when the days get shorter in the fall, or when your patience with a long wait becomes 'shortened'.
👶 For kids: To get less long.
More Examples
His temper shortened when he didn't get what he wanted.
As the deadline approached, the available time shortened dramatically.
How It's Used
"As the days shorten, we prepare for winter."
From Old English *sceortian, related to 'short'.
The word has been used since the 13th century in its current form.
Memory tip
Think of making something shorter, like a rope or a story.
Word Origin
"to make short"