What does shortening mean?
Shortening means the process of making something shorter or the result of that process. It can refer to a reduction in physical length, duration, or extent, as in a shortening of the journey or a shortening of the working day. In language, it may also mean an abbreviated form, such as “TV” for “television,” or the practice of replacing a longer expression with a shorter one. As a verb, shortening describes both the act of reducing something and, in less formal contexts, the act of becoming shorter. The word is especially useful in writing about editing, design, transportation, communication, and efficiency. It is related to the adjective short and appears in familiar expressions such as “a shortening of the list” and “a dramatic shortening of the route.”
A reduction in the length, duration, or extent of something; also, a shortened form of a word or phrase.
"The railway line offered a welcome shortening of the route."
Countable plural forms are possible when referring to separate reductions or shortened forms, though the singular and mass uses are more common.
To make something shorter, or to become shorter.
"The company shortened its delivery times by improving its logistics."
In contemporary usage, the infinitive “shorten” is usually more natural than its gerund form when describing the action.
The plural is uncommon, but it can refer to several separate reductions or shortened forms.
"The editor proposed several shortenings to the original text."
A shortening can be more than a smaller version: in language, it is often a compact expression that carries the meaning of a longer phrase.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shortening come from?
The word derives from Middle English shortnen, formed from the adjective short together with the suffix -en. The adjective short comes from Old English sceort, meaning “short” or “brief.” The noun shortening developed from the verb and later came to be used for a shortened word or phrase as well as for the act of shortening.
Related word forms
How shortening is actually used
When referring to the act or result of making something shorter, "shortening" is common in formal and technical writing. "Shorten" is more usual when describing the action directly, while "abbreviation" is often preferable for a shortened word or phrase.