shorten

3 definitions • 5 examples

to become shorter or to make something shorter:

As you grow older, your spine shortens by about an inch.

I've asked him to shorten my grey trousers.

The name William is often shortened to Bill.

to make something shorter in length, distance, or height:

I’d like to have this jacket shortened by about two inches.

to make something shorter in time:

A high school knee injury probably shortened his football career.