shortcut
gb/ʃˈɔɹtkˌʌt/ us/ʃˈɔɹtkˌʌt/
A2
Inglés
~ 8600
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Sustantivo
B1
entity
1
quicker or easier method
A way to do something faster and more easily by not doing all the normal steps.
Patrón de uso:
a shortcut to [a result]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes say *"shortcut of success"* instead of *"shortcut to success"*. Use the preposition *to* with results: *a shortcut to success / to fluency*. Learners may also confuse this meaning with the physical path sense and say things like *"a shortcut street"* when they mean *"an easier way"* in a process.
Sinónimos
quick fix (Often suggests a fast but possibly temporary or low-quality solution, while a shortcut can be good or bad.)
Antónimos
thorough process (Emphasizes doing every step carefully, the opposite of skipping steps with a shortcut.)
Colocaciones
take a shortcut
|easy shortcut
|shortcut to success
|shortcut solution
|look for shortcuts
|no shortcuts
Temas
work
|study
|self-improvement
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- There are no shortcuts to learning a language well.
- The new software offers a useful shortcut for generating monthly reports.
- Some companies look for shortcuts instead of improving their products properly.
- He tried a shortcut to weight loss that turned out to be unhealthy.
- This checklist is a helpful shortcut to understand the main legal issues.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- There is no shortcut to speaking English fluently.
- She found a shortcut to finish her homework faster.
- They want a shortcut to making more money.
- This app is a shortcut for ordering food online.
- I am not looking for a shortcut; I want to learn it well.
Sustantivo
A2
entity
2
shorter route between places
A way between two places that is faster or shorter than the normal way.
Patrón de uso:
a shortcut through [a place]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse this with the abstract process sense and say things like *"a shortcut street to success"*. Use this sense only for physical paths or routes between places.
Sinónimos
shorter route (A direct descriptive phrase with the same basic meaning but less idiomatic.)
Antónimos
the long way (Describes using a route that takes more time or distance, the opposite of a shortcut.)
Colocaciones
take a shortcut
|find a shortcut
|shortcut through the park
|shortcut home
|quick shortcut
|direct shortcut
Temas
travel
|daily life
|transportation
|space
Ejemplos
- We took a shortcut through the park to avoid traffic.
- He showed me a handy shortcut that cuts ten minutes off the walk.
- There’s a little shortcut behind the shops if you’re in a hurry.
- Locals know all the shortcuts around the city center.
- The shortcut over the hill is steep but much faster.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- We took a shortcut through a small street.
- This road is a shortcut to the beach.
- She knows a shortcut to the train station.
- There is a shortcut behind the supermarket.
- Let’s not take a shortcut; I want to see the town.
Sustantivo
technical
B1
entity
3
icon that opens another file
On a computer, a small icon that you click to open another file, folder, or program quickly.
Patrón de uso:
a shortcut to [a file or program]
Error frecuente:
Learners may think deleting a shortcut deletes the actual program. A shortcut is only a pointer; removing it does not remove the original file or app.
Sinónimos
link (A broader computing term; not all links are desktop shortcuts, but many shortcuts function as links.)
Antónimos
original file (The actual file or program itself, which the shortcut only points to.)
Colocaciones
desktop shortcut
|create a shortcut
|add a shortcut
|delete a shortcut
|shortcut icon
|folder shortcut
Temas
technology
|computing
Ejemplos
- I put a shortcut to the project folder on my desktop.
- Right-click the program and choose "Create shortcut."
- You can delete the shortcut without removing the original file.
- The installer automatically adds a shortcut to the Start menu.
- He organized his desktop shortcuts into folders.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I have a shortcut for email on my desktop.
- Please create a shortcut to this folder.
- You can click this shortcut to open the game.
- I put a shortcut to the website on my home screen.
- She deleted the shortcut by mistake, not the real file.
Sustantivo
technical
B1
entity
4
keyboard key combination shortcut
On a computer, two or more keys you press together to do something quickly, like copy or save.
Patrón de uso:
a keyboard shortcut for [a command]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes mix this sense with the desktop icon sense and say *"click the keyboard shortcut"*. You press or use a keyboard shortcut, but you click a desktop shortcut icon.
Sinónimos
hotkey (A more technical term; often used especially for single-key or function-key shortcuts.)
Antónimos
menu command (Using the full menu path instead of a fast key combination is the opposite way to trigger the same action.)
Colocaciones
keyboard shortcut
|shortcut key
|use the shortcut
|handy shortcut
|assign a shortcut
|custom shortcut
Temas
technology
|computing
Ejemplos
- The keyboard shortcut for copy is Ctrl+C.
- Learning a few shortcuts can save you a lot of time.
- You can customize the shortcut keys in the settings.
- This program doesn’t support a shortcut for that function.
- He accidentally hit the wrong shortcut and closed the window.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+S to save my work.
- Do you know the shortcut for paste?
- This app lets you change the shortcut keys.
- She learned some shortcuts to work faster.
- Press this shortcut to open a new tab.
Verbo
informal
B2
action
5
make a process shorter
To try to do something faster by not doing all the normal steps.
Patrón de uso:
to shortcut [a process or step]
Error frecuente:
This verb form is much less common than the noun. Learners sometimes overuse it where *"speed up"* or *"streamline"* would sound more natural in formal writing.
Sinónimos
streamline (More formal and positive; suggests making a process more efficient, not just skipping steps.)
Antónimos
complicate (To make a process more complex or slower, the opposite of trying to shortcut it.)
Colocaciones
shortcut the process
|shortcut the system
|shortcut the procedure
|try to shortcut
|attempt to shortcut
|shortcut approval
Temas
work
|business
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The team tried to shortcut the approval process and got into trouble.
- You can’t shortcut safety checks just to save time.
- Management is always looking for ways to shortcut routine paperwork.
- They attempted to shortcut the system by using fake documents.
- He was accused of shortcutting the normal hiring procedure.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- They tried to shortcut the long process.
- You should not shortcut the safety rules.
- He wants to shortcut the testing stage.
- The company tried to shortcut the system.
- Do not shortcut important checks.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
shortcut
AFI
GB/ʃˈɔɹtkˌʌt/
US/ʃˈɔɹtkˌʌt/
Sílabas y acento
short - cut (2 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (short)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: shortcut
- Plural: shortcuts
Familia de palabras
Expresiones
create a shortcut
1/kɹiˈeɪt ə ʃˈɔɹtkˌʌt/
fixed phrase
technical
make a new shortcut icon
To make a new shortcut icon or file that opens another file, folder, or program.
Ejemplos
- Right-click the folder and select "Create shortcut."
- The setup wizard will create a shortcut on your desktop.
- You can create a shortcut to this document for quick access.
desktop shortcut
1/dˈɛsktˌɑp ʃˈɔɹtkˌʌt/
fixed phrase
technical
desktop icon to open item
An icon on your computer desktop that you can click to open a program, file, or folder quickly.
Ejemplos
- I made a desktop shortcut for my favorite game.
- Just click the desktop shortcut to start the application.
- You can delete the desktop shortcut if you don’t need it.
no shortcuts
1/nˈoʊ ʃˈɔɹtkˌʌts/
fixed phrase
no easy or fast way
Used to say that you must do all the normal hard work and cannot do something quickly or easily.
Ejemplos
- When it comes to getting fit, there are no shortcuts.
- He tells his students that there are no shortcuts to good writing.
- Building trust takes time; there are simply no shortcuts.
shortcut to success
1/ʃˈɔɹtkˌʌt tə səksˈɛs/
fixed phrase
easier way to succeed
A way to become successful faster and with less work than normal, often used to say this is not really possible.
Ejemplos
- Many people look for a shortcut to success instead of working steadily.
- There is no shortcut to success in this field; experience matters.
- Books that promise a shortcut to success are always popular.
take a shortcut
1/tˈeɪk ə ʃˈɔɹtkˌʌt/
fixed phrase
use a faster route or method
To go a shorter way, or do something in a faster and easier way than normal, usually to save time.
Ejemplos
- We took a shortcut through a side street to avoid the traffic.
- If you take a shortcut with this assignment, the teacher will notice.
- Don’t take a shortcut on quality just to finish sooner.
use a shortcut
1/jˈuz ə ʃˈɔɹtkˌʌt/
fixed phrase
choose a faster way
To choose a way that is faster or easier than the normal way, either in movement or in doing a task.
Ejemplos
- We used a shortcut to get to the station on time.
- If you use a shortcut here, the results may not be accurate.
- She always tries to use a shortcut when filling out paperwork.
keyboard shortcut
1/kˈibˌɔɹd ʃˈɔɹtkˌʌt/
fixed phrase
technical
Key combo for computer command
Two or more keys you press together to do something quickly on a computer.
Ejemplos
- Pressing Ctrl+C is the keyboard shortcut for copy.
- Learn a few keyboard shortcuts to work faster.
- She uses many keyboard shortcuts to work faster.
- The keyboard shortcut for paste is Ctrl+V.
- You can set a keyboard shortcut to open this tool.