shorten

verb

short·​en ˈshȯr-tᵊn 

shortened; shortening ˈshȯrt-niŋ 

ˈshȯr-tᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: to reduce the length or duration of

b

: to cause to seem short

2

a

: to reduce in power or efficiency

Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem?

—Isaiah 50:2 (Revised Standard Version)

b

obsolete : to deprive of effect

3

: to add fat to (something, such as pastry dough) in order to make tender and flaky

intransitive verb

: to become short or shorter

shortener

ˈshȯrt-nər, 

ˈshȯr-tᵊn-ər 

noun

Synonyms of shorten

• reduce
• curtail
• truncate
• abbreviate
• abridge
• cut back

Choose the Right Synonym for shorten

shorten, curtail, abbreviate, abridge, retrench mean to reduce in extent.

shorten implies reduction in length or duration.

shorten a speech

curtail adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy.

ceremonies curtailed because of rain

abbreviate implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part.

using an abbreviated title

abridge implies a reduction in compass or scope with retention of essential elements and a relative completeness in the result.

the abridged version of the novel

retrench suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive.

declining business forced the company to retrench

Examples of shorten in a Sentence

shorten a pair of pants

He had to shorten the speech.

“Franklin D. Roosevelt” is often shortened to “FDR.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Grapevine run rules Argyle behind Luke Esquivel Luke Esquivel allowed one hit over six innings and fanned 12 as Grapevine defeated Argyle 13-0 in a run-rule shortened District 6-5A game on Friday at Argyle High School. —Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2026

The Tar Heels faded badly in the VCU game, with Davis shortening his rotation to keep four players on the floor for the entire second half while another played 15 minutes. —ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026

The Justice Department’s antitrust division shortened the standard 30-day waiting period and then notified the broadcast companies, a department spokesman confirmed. —Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026

Travelers at Miami International Airport experienced some longer than usual security lines early Friday morning, but by midday the waits had shortened and MIA continued returning to normal. —Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for shorten

• fortin
• horton

Kids Definition

shorten

verb

short·​en ˈshȯrt-ᵊn 

shortened; shortening ˈshȯrt-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

1

: to make or become short or shorter

2

: to add shortening to (as pastry dough)

shortener

-nər 

-ᵊn-ər

noun