English dictionary



Hint: With the Firefox addon you can search this dictionary from the browsers search field.

English verb: shorten

1. shorten (change) make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration


SamplesHe shortened his trip due to illness.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)bring down, cut, cut back, cut down, reduce, trim, trim back, trim down


Narrower (hyponym)clip, curtail, cut short, cut short, foreshorten, syncopate, truncate


Causeshorten


Antonymslengthen

2. shorten (change) reduce in scope while retaining essential elements


SamplesThe manuscript must be shortened.


Synonymsabbreviate, abridge, contract, cut, foreshorten, reduce


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)decrease, lessen, minify


Narrower (hyponym)bowdlerise, bowdlerize, castrate, concentrate, condense, digest, expurgate, shorten


Verb groupcut, edit, edit out


Antonymselaborate, expatiate, expound, lucubrate, dilate, exposit, flesh out, enlarge, expand

3. shorten (change) make short or shorter


SamplesShorten the skirt.
Shorten the rope by a few inches.


ExamplesThey shorten their hair


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)alter, change, modify


Narrower (hyponym)cut

4. shorten (change) become short or shorter


SamplesIn winter, the days shorten.


Pattern of useSomething ----s


Broader (hypernym)decrease, diminish, fall, lessen


Antonymslengthen

5. shorten (change) edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate


SamplesBowdlerize a novel.


ExamplesThey won't shorten the story


Synonymsbowdlerise, bowdlerize, castrate, expurgate


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)abbreviate, abridge, contract, cut, foreshorten, reduce, shorten









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
Web design: Orcapia v/Per Bang. English edition: .
2024 onlineordbog.dk