Shorten Definition & Meaning
shorten
- verb
- make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration; "He shortened his trip due to illness"
- reduce in scope while retaining essential elements; "The manuscript must be shortened"
- make short or shorter; "shorten the skirt"; "shorten the rope by a few inches"
- become short or shorter; "In winter, the days shorten"
- edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate; "bowdlerize a novel"
"Shorten" in song lyrics
See how shorten is used in real songs:
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"doubt my lifestyle's important and when I'm broke it starts to shorten"
X-Raided & Kingpen f/ C-Lim, T-Nutty — Repercussions -
"wilson magazine springs shorten"
AOL — AOL
Words that rhyme with shorten
Usage tips for "shorten"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "shorten" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for shorten to find words that pair well.