Definition of short
1a : having little lengthb : not tall or high : low
2a : not extended in time : brief a short vacationb : not retentive a short memoryc : expeditious, quick made short work of the problemd : seeming to pass quickly made great progress in just a few short years
3a of a speech sound : having a relatively short durationb : being the member of a pair of similarly spelled vowel or vowel-containing sounds that is descended from a vowel that was short in duration but is no longer so and that does not necessarily have duration as its chief distinguishing feature short i in sinc of a syllable in prosody (1) : of relatively brief duration (2) : unstressed
4 : limited in distance a short trip
5a : not coming up to a measure or requirement : insufficient in short supplyb : not reaching far enough the throw to first was shortc : enduring privationd : insufficiently supplied short of cash short on brains
6a : abrupt, curt I'm sorry I was short with youb : quickly provoked a short temper
7 : choppy 2
8 : payable at an early date a short loan
in short order
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Examples of short in a Sentence
One of my legs is slightly shorter than the other.
He is short for his age.
the shortest day of the year
Life's too short to worry about the past.
The movie was very short.
You have done a lot in a short space of time.
a short burst of speed
I've only lived here for a short time.
She has made great progress in a few short years.
He visited for two short weeks.
Origin and Etymology of short
Middle English, from Old English sceort; akin to Old High German scurz short, Old Norse skortr lack
short
Definition of short
1 : in a curt manner
2 : for or during a brief time short-lasting
3 : at a disadvantage : unawares caught short
4 : in an abrupt manner : suddenly the car stopped short
5 : at some point or degree before a goal or limit aimed at or under consideration the bombs fell short quit a month short of graduation
6 : clean across the axle was snapped short
7 : by or as if by a short sale
Examples of short in a Sentence
He threw the ball short.
the bicyclist ahead of me unexpectedly pulled up short and I unavoidably plowed into him
First Known Use of short
14th century
short
Definition of short
1 : the sum and substance : upshot
2a : a short syllableb : a short sound or signal
3 shorts plural a : a by-product of wheat milling that includes the germ, fine bran, and some flourb : refuse, clippings, or trimmings discarded in various manufacturing processes
4a : knee-length or less than knee-length trousers —usually used in pluralb shorts plural : short drawersc : a size in clothing for short men
5a : one who operates on the short side of the marketb shorts plural : short-term bonds
6 shorts plural : deficiencies
7 : short circuit
8 : shortstop
for short
in short
Examples of short in a Sentence
The short before the main movie was very funny.
First Known Use of short
circa 1586
short
Definition of short
transitive verb
1 : short-circuit
2 : shortchange, cheat
3 : to sell (a security) short in expectation of a fall in prices
intransitive verb
: short-circuit —often used with out in U.S. English … were sabotaging the system by deliberately entering incorrect information into the computers and, if all else failed, hosing the computers down until they shorted out. — John Sedgwick
Examples of short in a Sentence
The lightning shorted the TV.
The hair dryer must have shorted.
First Known Use of short
1904
SHORT Defined for English Language Learners
short
playDefinition of short for English Language Learners
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: extending a small distance from one end to the other end : having little length : not long
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: not great in distance
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: having little height : not tall
short
Definition of short for English Language Learners
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: to or at a point that is not as far as expected or desired : to a point not reaching what is needed for something
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: in a sudden manner
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: for or during a short time
short
Definition of short for English Language Learners
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shorts : pants that end at or above the knees
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: a short movie
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: a small amount of liquor that you drink quickly
short
Definition of short for English Language Learners
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: to cause (something) to have a short circuit
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: to stop working because of a short circuit
SHORT Defined for Kids
Definition of short for Students
shorter
;shortest
1 : not long or tall short hair a short boy short stories
2 : not great in distance a short trip
3 : not lasting long : brief in time a short delay a short memory
4 : cut down to a brief length “Doc” is short for “doctor.”
5 : less than the usual or needed amount Fruit was in short supply. We met on short notice.
6 : having less than what is needed : not having enough I'm short of money. The team was short two players.
7 : not reaching far enough The throw was short.
8 : easily stirred up a short temper
shortness
nounHeadscratcher for short
What word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it? Short!
Definition of short for Students
1 : with suddenness I stopped short.
2 : to or at a point that is not as far as expected or desired He threw the ball short.
Definition of short for Students
1 shorts plural : pants that reach to or almost to the knees
2 shorts plural : short underpants
3 : something (as a movie) shorter than the usual or regular length
4 : short circuit
Law Dictionary
short
Legal Definition of short
1 : treated or disposed of quickly in court the calendar for short causes
2 : having a short term short loans short leases
3a : not having goods or property that one has sold in anticipation of a fall in prices a seller who was short at the time of the sale b : consisting of or relating to a sale of securities or commodities that the seller does not possess or has not contracted for at the time of the sale a short position — see also short sale 1 at sale
4 : not involving or providing a sufficient amount of money to cover a loan — see also short sale 2 at sale, short refinance
short
Legal Definition of short
: by or as if by a short sale sold the stock short
Learn More about short
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for short Spanish Central: Translation of short Nglish: Translation of short for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of short for Arabic speakers
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