shorten

/ˈʃɔrtn/

/ˈʃɔtɪn/

Other forms: shortened; shortening; shortens

Definitions of shorten

1. verb

   make short or shorter
   “shorten the skirt”

   “shorten the rope by a few inches”

   types:

   cut

   shorten as if by severing the edges or ends of

   shave, trim

   cut closely

   French

   cut (e.g, beans) lengthwise in preparation for cooking

   crop

   cut short

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
2. verb

   make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration
   “He shortened his trip due to illness”

   antonyms:

   lengthen

   make longer

   types:

   foreshorten

   shorten lines in a drawing so as to create an illusion of depth

   clip, curtail, cut short

   terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end or its full extent

   syncopate

   omit a sound or letter in a word

   cut short, truncate

   make shorter as if by cutting off

   type of:

   bring down, cut, cut back, cut down, reduce, trim, trim back, trim down

   cut down on; make a reduction in
3. verb

   reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
   “The manuscript must be shortened”

   synonyms: abbreviate, abridge, contract, cut, foreshorten, reduce

   cut, edit, edit out

   cut and assemble the components of

   types:

   bowdlerise, bowdlerize, castrate, expurgate

   edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate

   concentrate, condense, digest

   make more concise

   capsule, capsulise, capsulize, encapsulate

   put in a short or concise form; reduce in volume

   telescope

   make smaller or shorter

   type of:

   decrease, lessen, minify

   make smaller
4. verb

   edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
   synonyms: bowdlerise, bowdlerize, castrate, expurgate

   type of:

   abbreviate, abridge, contract, cut, foreshorten, reduce

   reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
5. verb

   become short or shorter
   “In winter, the days shorten”

   antonyms:

   lengthen

   become long or longer

   type of:

   decrease, diminish, fall, lessen

   decrease in size, extent, or range