easy
Please shorten the ribbon before tying it.
What does Shorten mean?
to make something shorter.
Dictionary definition
To make something shorter in length, time, or amount.
Example sentences
Shorten in a sentence
medium
The editor asked Maya to shorten her paragraph by one sentence.
hard
A clear summary can shorten a long explanation without losing the main idea.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice shorten in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Shorten
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does shorten mean?
Shorten means to make something shorter.
Practice 2
Which word is closest in meaning to shorten?
Reduce is close in meaning to shorten in this context.
Practice 3
Choose the best word to complete the sentence: The teacher asked us to ___ the title so it fit on one line.
The correct sentence uses shorten in context.
Practice complete
Nice work!
You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
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Shorten
Voice settings
Sounds like
shor · tun · strongest beat: shor
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordShorten.
Partverb.
MeaningShorten means to make something shorter.
ExampleExample: Please shorten the ribbon before tying it.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- shor · tun
- Strongest beat
- shor
- Ending
- tun
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on shor.
Your turn
Say Shorten
Record a short attempt, then compare it with the Coach. Your recording stays on this device and is not uploaded.
Coach
My attempt
Ready when you are.
Nice work—you practiced shorten.
Synonyms
Words like Shorten
Antonyms
Opposite words
Synonym practice
Want to practice shorten synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The teacher asked us to abbreviate the title," then compare close word choices. Practice shorten synonyms.
Word family
Shorten word family
Base word
shorten
verb
shortens
Makes shorter now or often.
verb
shortened
Made shorter in the past.
verb
shortening
Making shorter now.
Related words
Explore related words
Student support
Understand Shorten
Hint for students
to make something shorter.
Common mix-up
Shorten is not the same as lengthen. Shorten means to make something shorter.
Try it in class or at home
Read this model sentence: The editor asked Maya to shorten her paragraph by one sentence. Clue words: editor, asked, maya. Underline clue words that show why shorten fits instead of lengthen. Now write one new sentence that shows shorten without using the word shorten. Ask: Does my sentence clearly show shorten?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "The editor asked Maya to shorten her paragraph by one sentence." Why does shorten fit better than lengthen?
Learning activities
Practice Shorten and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice SHORTEN” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice SHORTEN
Sentence Builder
Write your own sentence with this word and revise with checklist feedback.
Write a sentence with SHORTEN
Explore · Spelling
Spell Hive
Hear the word, type the spelling, and use spoken clues when needed.
Practice spelling
Explore · Definitions
Define the Word Hive
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Practice definitions
Explore · Matching
Vocabulary Match
Pair words with meanings and review misses with dictionary links.
Match meanings
Explore · Context
Context Clue Challenge
Use sentence clues to choose the word that fits the meaning.
Use context clues
Practice SHORTEN
Synonym Search
Compare meanings in a question that includes SHORTEN.
Practice SHORTEN
Explore · Scramble
Scrambled Bees
Rebuild words from mixed-up letters for spelling practice.
Rebuild words