shortened; shortening
ˈshȯrt-niŋ 
ˈshȯr-tᵊn-iŋ
1
a
: to reduce the length or duration of
b
: to cause to seem short
2
a
: to reduce in power or efficiency
is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem—
Isaiah 50:2 (Revised Standard Version)
Isaiah 50:2 (Revised Standard Version)
b
obsolete
: to deprive of effect
3
: to add fat to (something, such as pastry dough) in order to make tender and flaky
: to become short or shorter
Examples of shorten in a Sentence
shorten a pair of pants
He had to shorten the speech.
“Franklin D. Roosevelt” is often shortened to “FDR.”
Recent Examples on the Web
The jacket sleeves were shortened along with her trousers, leaving a well-deserved moment for Jackson’s statement combat boots.
—Rachel Flynn, People.com, 27 May 2025
Paper gowns could be easily shortened to miniskirt length to wear as a reception or getaway dress.
—Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 May 2025
The 2023 race was pushed to Monday after a deluge Sunday; the 2024 race was shortened.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 May 2025
In Chicago’s West Ridge neighborhood, Misericordia has been building 16 new intermediate care group homes to help shorten its long wait lists for residency.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shorten
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Rachel Flynn, People.com, 27 May 2025
Paper gowns could be easily shortened to miniskirt length to wear as a reception or getaway dress.
—Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 May 2025
The 2023 race was pushed to Monday after a deluge Sunday; the 2024 race was shortened.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 May 2025
In Chicago’s West Ridge neighborhood, Misericordia has been building 16 new intermediate care group homes to help shorten its long wait lists for residency.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shorten
Cite this Entry
“Shorten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shorten. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shorten
verb
short·en
ˈshȯrt-ᵊn
shortened; shortening
ˈshȯrt-niŋ
-ᵊn-iŋ
1
: to make or become short or shorter
2
: to add shortening to (as pastry dough)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share