What does shorten mean?
“Shorten” means to make something less long in duration, physical extent, or complexity. It is used for reducing the length of a text, the time needed to complete a task, the distance of a journey, or the amount of work involved in a process. The word is neutral in tone and common in both formal writing and everyday speech. For example, an editor may shorten an article, while a company may shorten a waiting time by changing its procedures. “Shorten” is related to the adjective “short” and is distinct from it: “short” describes the size or duration of something, whereas “shorten” describes the process of reducing it. Its related forms include “shortened,” as in a shortened version, and “shortening,” as in the shortening of the deadline.
verbTo make something shorter in length, duration, or extent. It can also mean to reduce the amount of time or effort involved in something.
- To make something shorter in physical length, duration, or extent.
- To reduce the amount of time, effort, or complexity involved in a process.
- To become shorter or contract.
- To reduce the period of time before something occurs or becomes available.
"The editor asked me to shorten the introduction to make the article more concise."
"The train company shortened the journey by introducing an express service."
"The road was shortened when the old path was removed."
A shortcut may not shorten the road, but it can shorten the journey.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shorten come from?
The word “shorten” was formed in English from “short,” an adjective inherited from Old English, together with the verb-forming suffix “-en.” The development reflects the broader English pattern in which adjectives ending in “-en” correspond to causative verbs, although the precise historical formation is not necessary to its modern use. Related English words include “shortly,” “shortness,” and “shortage,” all of which share the same root.
Related word forms
How shorten is actually used
The word is formal but widely understood and is common in written and spoken English. It is usually transitive, as in 'shorten the deadline,' although it can also be used intransitively when referring to something becoming shorter.
Easily confused with shorten
'Short' describes something that has relatively little length or duration, while 'shorten' is the action of making it less long.