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Definition short in British English

short adjective

adjective
/ʃɔː(r)t/
Example

She's short and slim, with light brown hair and blue eyes.

Example

You'll need three short boards for the shelves.

Example

The theatre is a relatively short distance from here.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

not long enough, or not tall enough

Example

The fence posts are all six inches short.

Example

The sleeves are much too short.

2

a period of time that is short does not last very long or seems to pass quickly

Example

He was here for a short while last week.

Example

After a short period living in London, she moved back to Glasgow.

Example

I'm sorry this has been such a short stay.

Example

In a few short weeks he'll be going back to school.

Synonyms and related words
3

expressed in few words, or containing few pages

Example

Could you give us a short summary of what happened?

Example

It was a short book and she read it in one night.

Synonyms and related words
4

using fewer words or letters than the full form of something

Example

Memo is short for memorandum.

Example

My name is Elizabeth, or Liz for short.

Synonyms and related words
5

used for saying that you do not have enough of something

Example

Have you got any change on you? I'm £20 short (=I have £20 less than I need).

Example

We're one waitress short tonight, so everyone will have to work harder.

Example

He's very bright but a little short on personality.

Example

They were three short of a majority, so the vote wasn't passed.

Example

Many of our clients are short of money.

Synonyms and related words
5.1

if something is short or in short supply, there is not enough of it or it is not easy to get

Example

Dad wasn't working and money was short.

Example

Skilled workers are in short supply around here.

Synonyms and related words
6

if you have a short memory, you are not able or willing to remember things that happened recently

7

rude and unfriendly when speaking to someone

Example

She's very busy and can be a little short at times.

Synonyms and related words
8

a short vowel or syllable is one that you pronounce quickly

Synonyms and related words
Definition short in British English