shorten
To make something, or to become, not as long, high, or lasting as before.
To cause something, or to become, less in length, height, distance, time, or overall extent.
To make a text or speech shorter by taking out some parts.
To make a piece of writing, speech, or other communication briefer by removing words, sentences, or sections.
When talking about sounds in language, to say a sound for less time.
In linguistics and phonetics, to reduce the length of time a vowel or other speech sound is pronounced.
In baking, to add fat to dough so that it becomes soft and breaks easily when cooked.
In cooking, especially baking, to mix fat into dough or pastry so that gluten development is limited and the final product is more crumbly and tender.
- Base: shorten
- 3rd Person Singular: shortens
- Present Participle: shortening
- Past: shortened
shorten a URL
1Make a web link shorter
To make a long web address shorter using a special website, so it is easier to share.
- You can shorten a URL before posting it on social media.
- This tool lets you shorten a URL and track how many people click it.
- He shortened the URL so it would fit in the message limit.
shorten a word
1Make a word shorter
To make a word shorter by taking away some letters or sounds.
- People often shorten the word "advertisement" to "ad".
- In texting, many users shorten words to save time.
- The teacher explained how we sometimes shorten words in informal speech.
shorten someone's life
1Cause someone to live fewer years
To make a person die sooner than they could have, for example because of stress, illness, or bad habits.
- Doctors warn that heavy smoking can shorten someone's life by many years.
- Constant stress at work may shorten your life if you do not take care of yourself.
- Poor air quality is believed to shorten the lives of people in large cities.
shorten the distance
1Reduce how far you must go
To make the way between two places less far, usually by changing the route or building a new road.
- The new bridge will shorten the distance between the villages by several kilometers.
- Taking this path through the park will shorten the distance to the station.
- A tunnel under the mountain could greatly shorten the distance between the cities.
shorten the time
1Reduce how long something takes
To make something take less time.
- Using a pressure cooker can shorten the time it takes to make stew.
- Online check-in helps shorten the time you spend at the airport.
- Good preparation will shorten the time needed to finish this project.