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Shortest: meaning, definitions and examples

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shortest

 

[ ˈʃɔːrtəst ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

comparative form

Shortest is the comparative form of short, used to describe something that has less length or duration than another thing, or that is the least long in a group. It is often used to compare height, length, or time.

Synonyms

briefest, least long, minimus

Examples of usage

  • He is the shortest player on the team.
  • This is the shortest route to the destination.
  • She is known for her shortest stories.
  • The shortest day of the year is around December 21.

Translations

Translations of the word "shortest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mais curto

🇮🇳 सबसे छोटा

🇩🇪 am kürzesten

🇮🇩 terpendek

🇺🇦 найкоротший

🇵🇱 najkrótszy

🇯🇵 最短の

🇫🇷 le plus court

🇪🇸 el más corto

🇹🇷 en kısa

🇰🇷 가장 짧은

🇸🇦 الأقصر

🇨🇿 nejkratší

🇸🇰 najkratší

🇨🇳 最短的

🇸🇮 najkrajši

🇮🇸 styst

🇰🇿 ең қысқа

🇬🇪 მხოლოდ მოკლე

🇦🇿 ən qısa

🇲🇽 el más corto

Word origin

The word 'short' originates from the Old English 'sceort', meaning 'short or brief', which can be traced back to Proto-Germanic '*skurta-', meaning 'to cut off'. The formation of the comparative and superlative in English often involves the addition of -er and -est, respectively, hence 'short' becomes 'shorter' and 'shortest'. The transition of the term through various linguistic stages reflects a common practice in the evolution of English vocabulary, where base adjectives are modified to express different degrees of relativity. The usage of 'shortest' has gained prominence in various contexts, encompassing physical dimensions, time intervals, and even metaphorical references, signifying limited extent or quickness.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,363 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.