Shorten: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when decreasing the length or duration of something without altering its essence. Generally used in everyday language.

• I need to shorten my speech for the event.
• The director decided to shorten the movie by cutting unnecessary scenes.

Commonly used when shortening a word or phrase by leaving out some of the letters. It's typically used in technical or academic contexts.

• The term 'International Business Machines' is often abbreviated as IBM.
• Please abbreviate the title of the paper for the conference agenda.

Suitable for situations where something is made more compact, often by reducing length while retaining essential information. Commonly used in writing or speech.

• You need to condense your report to fit the one-page limit.
• The book was condensed into a short summary for students.

Used when something is cut short, especially by removing the end. Often used in technical or formal settings, and can sometimes carry a negative connotation if something important is lost.

• The text was too long for the column, so it was truncated.
• Due to time constraints, the final segment of the presentation was truncated.

Use to refer to making something physically or temporally shorter.

• Can you shorten the hem of this dress?
• We need to shorten the meeting because we are running out of time.

Use when giving a concise overview or summary, usually in a professional or formal context.

• Let me give you a brief summary of the project.
• The manager provided a brief overview of the new guidelines.

Use when emphasizing the clarity and efficiency of communication, typically in writing or speaking.

• Her report was clear and concise, covering all the important points.
• Please be concise when explaining the procedure.

Use to describe something that is neatly packed or organized into a small space.

• This suitcase is very compact and easy to carry.
• The compact design of the car makes it perfect for city driving.