Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

shorten down

intransitive verb
Save Word

Definition of shorten down

: to shorten sail the wind came ripping out of the west, and for the first time we shortened down to less than working canvas— A. F. Loomis

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Learn More about shorten down

Statistics for shorten down

Cite this Entry

“Shorten down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shorten%20down. Accessed 28 Oct. 2020.

Comments on shorten down

What made you want to look up shorten down? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

Cassandra

Listen to the pronunciation of Cassandra

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Namesakes Word Quiz

  • a citrus fruit possibly named after a person
  • Which of the following is a fruit named after a Moroccan seaport?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games