Shorten meaning

What does “shorten” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“shorten” is a verb with 5 meanings. Its most common meaning is: make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration.

shorten

make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration
“He shortened his trip due to illness”
Oppositeslengthen
reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
“The manuscript must be shortened”
Synonymsabridge foreshorten abbreviate cut contract reduce
make short or shorter
“shorten the skirt”
“shorten the rope by a few inches”
become short or shorter
“In winter, the days shorten”
Oppositeslengthen
edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
“bowdlerize a novel”
Synonymsbowdlerize bowdlerise expurgate castrate

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University