shorthand

noun

short·​hand ˈshȯrt-ˌhand 

1

: a method of writing rapidly by substituting characters, abbreviations, or symbols for letters, sounds, words, or phrases : stenography

2

: something likened to shorthand especially in providing rapid or abbreviated communication or representation

Stereotype and cliché serve a purpose as a form of shorthand.

—Stephanie Ericsson

headline shorthand

shorthand adjective

Examples of shorthand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That number has become an industry benchmark, shorthand for human-level dexterity. —John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

There’s a reason Provence has become shorthand for a certain kind of summer fantasy. —Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2026

Instead, the trio developed an unusually fearless creative shorthand. —Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 May 2026

Every sentence arrives polished into bite-size emotional shorthand—ridiculous, slightly glib, but not entirely wrong. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 26 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1636, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing shorthand

• in shorthand
• shorthand reporter
• shorthand typist
• take shorthand

Rhymes for shorthand

• armband
• backhand
• bandstand
• baseband
• broadband
• command
• cropland
• demand
• disband
• dreamland
• expand
• farmhand

Kids Definition

shorthand

noun

short·​hand ˈshȯrt-ˌhand 

1

: a method of rapid writing by using symbols for sounds, words, or phrases

2

: a short or quick way of showing or saying something

shorthand adjective