shorten
B1neutral
Definition
Meaning
to make something shorter in length, duration, or extent.
To reduce, cut down, or abbreviate something; can also refer to making a garment shorter or reducing cooking time.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb focuses on the action of reduction; the result is expressed with the adjective 'shorter'. It implies an intentional or causative action.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. UK English more commonly uses 'take up' (a hem) for clothing, whereas US might simply say 'shorten'. In cooking, 'reduce' is equally common in both.
Connotations
Neutral in both. Can imply improvement (shorten a process) or necessity (shorten a dress).
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] shorten [NP] (transitive)[NP] shorten (intransitive, e.g., 'The days shorten in winter.')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “shorten the odds”
- “shorten someone's leash”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'We need to shorten the project timeline to meet the Q3 targets.'
Academic
'The researcher sought to shorten the lengthy questionnaire for better participant compliance.'
Everyday
'Can you shorten these trousers for me?'
Technical
'Applying the catalyst shortens the polymerisation reaction time.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I'll ask the tailor to shorten my new suit trousers.
- The committee voted to shorten the consultation period.
American English
- I need to get these jeans shortened at the dry cleaner.
- We can shorten the meeting by cutting the Q&A session.
adverb
British English
- 'Shorteningly' is extremely rare and non-standard.
American English
- 'Shorteningly' is extremely rare and non-standard.
adjective
British English
- 'Shortened' is the common participial adjective, as in 'a shortened version'.
American English
- 'Shortened' is the common participial adjective, as in 'shortened school days'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please shorten this string.
- The days shorten in autumn.
- The editor asked me to shorten my article by 200 words.
- We shortened our holiday because of the bad weather.
- Advances in technology have considerably shortened the production cycle.
- The judge may shorten a prison sentence for good behaviour.
- The new highway dramatically shortens the journey between the two cities.
- He attempted to shorten the odds against his candidacy through a vigorous media campaign.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SHORT + EN: Adding 'en' to 'short' makes it an action - to MAKE something short.
Conceptual Metaphor
LESS IS SHORT (e.g., 'shorten the distance' for making a journey quicker/easier).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'short' + verb ending. Use 'укоротить' for physical length, 'сократить' for time/duration/texts.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I need to short my hair.' Correct: 'I need to shorten my hair.'
- Incorrect overuse for 'solve quickly': 'We shortened the problem.' Correct: 'We solved the problem quickly.'
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST synonym for 'shorten' in the context of a written document?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is commonly used for time (shorten a meeting), text (shorten an essay), and abstract concepts (shorten the odds).
'Shorten' specifically implies making something shorter, primarily in length or duration. 'Reduce' is broader, covering size, amount, price, etc. You shorten a text but reduce your spending.
Yes, though less common. Example: 'The days begin to shorten after the summer solstice.'
The action noun is 'shortening' (e.g., 'the shortening of the working week'). The result is expressed with 'reduction' or simply 'shorter length/duration'.