B2verbworkbusiness
US/ˈʃɔːr.tən/
UK/ˈʃɔː.tən/
to make something shorter in length or time, or to become shorter
In context
We need to shorten the meeting to thirty minutes.
The new highway will shorten the trip between the two cities by an hour.
Could you shorten your report before sending it to the director?
Words that go with shorten
verb + noun
- shorten the processNew software shortened the hiring process.
- shorten the deadlineThey decided to shorten the deadline by a week.
- shorten a tripA direct flight will shorten your trip.
- shorten a meetingLet us shorten the meeting today.
verb + preposition
- shorten byThe schedule was shortened by two days.
adverb + verb
- significantly shortenThe change will significantly shorten delivery times.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
shorten down the reportCorrect: shorten the report