shortcut

1 of 2

noun

short·​cut ˈshȯrt-ˌkət 

also -ˈkət

1

: a route more direct than the one ordinarily taken

2

: a method or means of doing something more directly and quickly than and often not so thoroughly as by ordinary procedure

a shortcut to success

3

: a key or combination of keys on a computer keyboard programmed to perform a specific function when pressed

You can open any item by clicking it or by assigning it a keyboard shortcut.

—Christopher Breen

called also hot key

shortcut

2 of 2

verb

shortcut; shortcutting

transitive verb

: to shorten (a route, a procedure, etc.) by use of a shortcut

also : circumvent

intransitive verb

: to take or use a shortcut

Synonyms of shortcut

Verb

• circumvent
• bypass
• avoid
• evade

Examples of shortcut in a Sentence

Noun

Wait, I know a shortcut. Turn left here.

We took a shortcut home.

Let's take the shortcut through the woods.

I used a shortcut to calculate the total weight.

There are no shortcuts to learning another language.

Mistakes were made because too many shortcuts were taken.

Verb

are you sure there's no way to shortcut the entrance requirements?

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Your iPhone 13 is missing the Action Button, a customizable shortcut key that replaced the age-old mute switch. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026

If following the official procurement process takes considerably longer than solving the requirement locally, people will eventually find shortcuts, particularly when a trade show opens in six weeks or a campaign launch cannot move. — Magda Paslaru, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Verb

In my experience, attempting to shortcut this dynamic with a single high-profile placement yields diminishing returns. — Jessica Schaefer, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

OpenAI is also allegedly adding homework reminders that can recognize when a teen appears to be trying to shortcut an assignment and redirect them toward Study Mode. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1915, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for shortcut

• abut
• catgut
• chesnut
• chestnut
• donut
• doughnut
• groundnut
• haircut
• hindgut
• midgut
• precut
• rebut

Kids Definition

shortcut

1 of 2 noun

short·​cut ˈshȯrt-ˌkət 

-ˈkət

: a shorter, quicker, or easier way

a shortcut through the woods

a shortcut to fame

shortcut

2 of 2 verb

shortcut; shortcutting

: to take or use a shortcut