shorten

1 of 2

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

shortener

2 of 2

noun

short·​en·​er -t(ᵊ)nə(r) 

plural -s

: one that shortens

Synonyms of shorten

Verb

• 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

Verb

shorten a pair of pants

He had to shorten the speech.

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

And while research shows that exercise supports healthy sleep by regulating body temperature, mood, metabolism and circadian rhythm, Weiner cautions that exercising too close to bedtime can interfere with sleep by delaying sleep onset, shortening sleep duration and lowering overall sleep quality. —Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 19 June 2026

By focusing on legacy component replication, the company aims to reduce dependency on fragile global supply chains and shorten repair timelines for aging defense systems. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 June 2026

What followed became one of the most significant archaeological investigations of slavery in the United States, revealing evidence of extreme physical labor, malnutrition, high infant mortality, and shortened life expectancy among people whose origins traced to various regions in Africa. —Christina Ray Stanton, New York Daily News, 19 June 2026

This recipe maintains all its comforting, nostalgic flavors but shortens the cook time because a sheet pan produces a thinner loaf than a traditional loaf pan. —Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

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