B2nounhealthlanguage
US/ˈʃɔːrt.nəs/
UK/ˈʃɔːt.nəs/
the quality of being small in length, height or time, or of not having enough of something
In context
The shortness of the skirt surprised her mother, who asked her to change.
Because of the shortness of the lesson, we could not finish the exercise.
He felt embarrassed about his shortness until he joined the basketball team.
Words that go with shortness
noun + preposition
- shortness of breathThe patient complained of shortness of breath.
- shortness of timeShortness of time stopped us from visiting the museum.
- shortness of lifeOld age reminded him of the shortness of life.
- shortness of the daysThe shortness of the days makes people feel tired.
- shortness of temperHis shortness of temper made him hard to work with.
adjective + noun
- extreme shortnessThe extreme shortness of the notice caused problems.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
There is a shortness of water in the city.Correct: There is a shortage of water in the city.