Shorthand: meaning, definitions and examples

Used as a general term for any system of rapid writing, particularly for taking notes or transcribing speech quickly.

• He took the lecture notes in shorthand
• Many journalists use shorthand to quickly jot down quotes

Refers to the practice of writing in shorthand, often in a professional context such as court reporting or transcription services.

• She pursued a career in stenography after completing her certification
• Stenography is a valuable skill in legal proceedings

Specific to the use of a stenotype machine, commonly employed by court reporters and in legal settings.

• The court reporter used a stenotype machine to transcribe the trial
• Learning to use a stenotype requires special training

Another term closely related to stenotype, referring to the method or practice of using a stenotype machine.

• Stenotypy is essential for accurate legal transcription
• Modern stenotypy involves the use of computerized systems

An older term for shorthand writing, often associated with historical or classical contexts. It is rarely used in modern language.

• In ancient times, tachygraphy was a skill used by scribes
• The museum has exhibits on tachygraphy from the Roman era

Shorthand is often used to refer to a method of rapid writing by using abbreviations or symbols. It is commonly used by secretaries, journalists, and stenographers.

• She's skilled in shorthand and can take notes quickly during meetings.
• He learned shorthand to improve his note-taking skills in lectures.

Abbreviation is used to shorten a word or phrase by using the first letters or parts of the word. It is commonly seen in written text, including notes, academic papers, and casual writing.

• The abbreviation 'Dr.' stands for 'Doctor'.
• In his recipe, he used the abbreviation 'tbsp' for 'tablespoon'.

Contraction is commonly used in spoken and informal written English. It combines two words into a shorter form, often with an apostrophe. It creates more conversational and relaxed sentences.

• 'Can't' is a contraction of 'cannot'.
• 'She's' is a contraction of 'she is' or 'she has'.

Symbol is a mark or character used as a conventional representation of an object, function, or process. It is seen in mathematics, science, and various other disciplines.

• The heart is a common symbol of love.
• In math, '+' is the symbol for addition.