shortening Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun fat such as butter or lard used in baked goods
   
2. noun act of decreasing in length
   
   • the dress needs shortening
3. verb make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration
   shorten.
   
   • He shortened his trip due to illness
4. verb reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
   reduce; cut; abbreviate; abridge; shorten; contract; foreshorten.
   
   • The manuscript must be shortened
5. verb make short or shorter
   shorten.
   
   • shorten the skirt
   • shorten the rope by a few inches
6. verb become short or shorter
   shorten.
   
   • In winter, the days shorten
7. verb edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
   bowdlerise; expurgate; bowdlerize; shorten; castrate.
   
   • bowdlerize a novel

WordNet