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short

1 short /ˈʃoɚt/ adjective
shorter; shortest
1 short
/ˈʃoɚt/
adjective
shorter; shortest
Britannica Dictionary definition of SHORT
: extending a small distance from one end to the other end : having little length : not long
: not great in distance
: having little height : not tall
: lasting or continuing for a small amount of time : brief
always used before a noun : seeming to pass quickly
: having few pages, items, etc.
of clothing : covering only part of the arms or legs
: existing in less than the usual or needed amount
not used before a noun : having less than what is needed : not having enough of something
often + on
: less than used in the phrase nothing short of to give emphasis to a statement or description
: not reaching far enough
: made smaller by having part removed often + for
not used before a noun : talking to someone in a very brief and unfriendly way : rudely brief
linguistics, of a vowel used to identify certain vowel sounds in English
compare 1long 6

a short fuse

see 2fuse

draw the short straw

see 1draw

fall short

see 1fall

in short order

: quickly and without delay

make short work of

see 2work

short and sweet

: pleasantly brief : not lasting a long time or requiring a lot of time

short of breath

◊ If you are short of breath, it is difficult for you to breathe.

the short end of the stick

see 1stick

— shortness

/ˈʃoɚtnəs/ noun [noncount]
2 short /ˈʃoɚt/ adverb
shorter; shortest
2 short
/ˈʃoɚt/
adverb
shorter; shortest
Britannica Dictionary definition of SHORT
: to or at a point that is not as far as expected or desired : to a point not reaching what is needed for something
often + of
: in a sudden manner
: for or during a short time
: in a way that makes something short

caught short

see 1catch

cut short

: to end (something) earlier than expected

fall short

see 1fall

sell (someone or something) short

see 1sell

short of

: except for (something) : other than (something)

taken/caught short

British, informal
: suddenly needing to use a toilet when there is no toilet available
3 short /ˈʃoɚt/ noun
plural shorts
3 short
/ˈʃoɚt/
noun
plural shorts
Britannica Dictionary definition of SHORT
shorts [plural]
: pants that end at or above the knees
see color picture on this page; see also bermuda shorts
: boxer shorts
[count] : a short movie
[count] : short circuit
[count] British : a small amount of liquor that you drink quickly : shot

for short

: in a shorter form : as an abbreviation

in short

: in a few words used to indicate that you are saying something in as few words as possible

the long and (the) short of it

see 3long
4 short /ˈʃoɚt/ verb
shorts; shorted; shorting
4 short
/ˈʃoɚt/
verb
shorts; shorted; shorting
Britannica Dictionary definition of SHORT
[+ object] : to cause (something) to have a short circuit : short-circuit often + out in U.S. English
[no object] : to stop working because of a short circuit : short-circuit often + out in U.S. English