online vocabulary.com

Shortness - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Shortness refers to the quality of being brief in length, duration, or height. It can describe physical stature, time, or written/spoken content, implying a lack of extension or conciseness.

shortness

/ˈʃɔrtnəs/ /ˈʃɔːtnəs/

Definition:

The state or quality of being short in duration, length, or supply.

Synonyms:

brevity, conciseness, curtness, succinctness

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

lengthiness, abundance, excess

Common Collocations:

shortness of breath, shortness of time, shortness in supply

Derivatives:

short, shorten, shortly

Usage Tips:

Use "shortness" to describe lack of length or duration; avoid confusion with "shortage," which refers to insufficient quantity.

Common Phrases:

shortness of breath, cut someone short, in short supply

Etymology:

Derived from Old English "sceort," meaning not long or brief; suffix "-ness" denotes a state or quality.

Examples:

  • 1. She complained about the shortness of the meeting.
  • 2. His shortness made it hard to reach the top shelf.
  • 3. The doctor asked about her shortness of breath.
  • 4. The essay's shortness surprised the teacher.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS