shortest
shortest — verb
- shortestpresent simple I / you / we / they
- shortests3rd person singular
- shortesting-ing form
- shortestedpast simple
1. to create an electrical fault in which the current flows the wrong way, often cu
to create an electrical fault in which the current flows the wrong way, often cutting off the power or damaging the equipment
When Rania plugged in the old lamp, the wires shorted and the lights went out.
intransitive use: the wires shorted
A mouse had chewed through the cable and shorted the entire security system.
transitive use: shorted the entire security system
The kitchen lights shorted when water spilled onto the power strip near the sink.
Arjun called an electrician after the fuse box shorted twice in one week.
The old washing machine shorted when Yan tried to run it and the dryer at the same time.
- short-circuit
the full form; more formal and technical
- short out
phrasal verb; equally informal, emphasises the stopping of function
文法句型
short + noun phrase (transitive)
noun phrase + shorts (intransitive)
用法筆記
This sense is the informal shortened form of 'short-circuit'. It is frequently used in passive constructions: 'The power was shorted by the storm.' Unlike the full form 'short-circuit', the verb 'short' is rarely used in formal or technical writing.
常見錯誤
2. to give someone less money, time, attention, or other resources than they have a
to give someone less money, time, attention, or other resources than they have a right to expect or than they were promised
The taxi driver shorted Hugo by charging the night rate during the day.
short + person + by + amount/method
Camila felt the school had shorted her son by cutting the music programme he loved.
The waiter shorted us on the change after we paid for the meal.
Bao calculated that his employer had shorted him nearly two thousand dollars in overtime pay.
Parents complained that the new schedule shorted their children of valuable study time before exams.
- shortchange
the full form; more common and slightly more formal
- cheat
broader meaning; does not always imply giving less of something
- underpay
specific to money; more formal
- overpay
opposite direction of unfairness
文法句型
short + person
short + person + amount
short + person + on + noun phrase
用法筆記
The direct object is usually the person who receives less than they should. The thing they are shorted (money, time, services) can appear as a direct object ('shorted him $50') or after 'on' ('shorted him on the change') or 'of' ('shorted them of sleep'). Frequently used in passive: 'The workers felt they were being shorted.'
常見錯誤
3. to borrow and then sell shares, currencies, or other financial products because
to borrow and then sell shares, currencies, or other financial products because you believe their price will fall, allowing you to buy them back at a cheaper price later
Hedge funds shorted the company's stock after the accounting scandal broke.
short + stock/share as object
Eshe learned how to short currencies during her first year at the investment bank in London.
Anthony shorted the tech shares just before the market dropped sharply in March.
That stock was one of the most shorted on the exchange during the economic crisis.
Rohan warned his team not to short emerging-market bonds because the risk was too high.
- sell short
the full phrasal form; equally common in financial speech
- go short
also common; describes taking a short position rather than the act of selling
文法句型
short + noun phrase (stock/share/currency)
be shorted (passive)
用法筆記
The direct object names the asset being sold short: a stock, a share, a currency, or a market index. This sense is rarely used without a direct object. Very common in passive form in financial journalism: 'The pound was heavily shorted ahead of the election.' Professional traders also use 'short' as a noun ('a short position'), but that is a noun sense, not this verb.
常見錯誤
shortest — noun
- shortestsingular
- shortestsplural
1. a small serving of a strong alcoholic drink such as whisky, brandy, or gin, serv
a small serving of a strong alcoholic drink such as whisky, brandy, or gin, served without water, ice, or other mixers.
Yuki ordered a short of single-malt whisky after finishing her dinner.
a short of [spirit name] — uncounted measure
The pub keeps a selection of shorts behind the counter for regular customers.
plural: shorts — variety of spirits
Arun asked the bartender for a short of Japanese whisky, served neat.
In many British pubs, a short costs about the same as a pint of beer.
- shot
American English; a shot is measured (usually 1.5 oz) whereas a short is an informal pour
- long drink
a drink with a mixer, e.g. whisky and soda
文法句型
a short of [spirit name]
用法筆記
Common in British English. In American English the phrase 'a shot of [spirit]' or 'straight up' is more typical for the same meaning.
常見錯誤
2. a movie that runs for a much shorter time than a typical feature, and is sometim
a movie that runs for a much shorter time than a typical feature, and is sometimes screened ahead of the main attraction at cinemas or during festivals.
The film festival opened with a ten-minute short about a fisherman on the Mekong River.
a [length] short about [topic]
Ingrid's animated short won the audience award at the Berlin showcase.
Before the main feature, the cinema played a comedy short that made everyone laugh.
Many young directors make shorts on small budgets to attract attention from producers.
- short film
more formal and explicit; 'short' is the usual cinema-industry term
- feature film
a full-length movie, typically 80 minutes or longer
用法筆記
Often followed by a time phrase ('a ten-minute short') or a topic ('a short about…'). The plural 'shorts' can refer to a collection or genre.
3. a problem in an electrical system that happens when two wires touch when they sh
a problem in an electrical system that happens when two wires touch when they should not, causing the current to take the wrong path.
The old lamp caused a short that tripped the circuit breaker in the basement.
a short in [device] / caused a short
Fatima called an electrician after smelling burning wires from a short behind the kitchen wall.
A short in the power strip nearly started a fire in the office break room.
The washing machine stopped mid-cycle because of an electrical short in its motor.
- short circuit
the full form; used in both formal and informal contexts
文法句型
a short in [device]
用法筆記
Informal shortening of 'short circuit.' Used in everyday speech about household appliances. Formal contexts prefer 'short circuit.'
常見錯誤
4. the baseball fielding role that patrols the left side of the infield, or the per
the baseball fielding role that patrols the left side of the infield, or the person who plays that role.
Kwame has played short for the Toronto Blue Jays for the past three seasons.
play short — play the shortstop position (no article)
The batter grounded to short, and the fielder threw to first for the out.
A good short needs quick feet, a strong arm, and the ability to read swings.
The coach moved Grace from third base to short because of her fast reflexes.
- shortstop
the full term; 'short' is a shortening used in commentary and informal baseball talk
文法句型
play short
hit to short
the team's short
用法筆記
When referring to the position, 'short' is used without an article ('plays short,' 'hit to short'). When referring to the player, it can take an article ('the team's short made an error').
常見錯誤
shortest — adjective
- shortestpositive
- more shortestcomparative
- most shortestsuperlative
1. not reaching far from one end to the other; not tall when describing a person's
not reaching far from one end to the other; not tall when describing a person's height
Camila wore a short skirt to the party last night.
The path to the beach is quite short, so we walked there.
intensifier: quite short / very short / too short
Mizuki is shorter than her classmates but plays basketball very well.
We took a short cut through the park to reach the station on time.
The dog's short legs make it hard for him to run fast.
常見錯誤
2. applied to a word or name that is a reduced form of a longer version
applied to a word or name that is a reduced form of a longer version
Everyone calls her Alex, which is short for Alexandra.
pattern: X is short for Y (full name)
In addresses, 'St.' is short for 'Street' in most countries.
The word 'phone' is short for 'telephone' in everyday English.
'Ave.' written on a letter is short for 'Avenue' in the UK.
- abbreviated
more formal; can describe any shortened form
- condensed
suggests the content is compressed, not a nickname
文法句型
short for [full name]
[name] for short
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used in the patterns 'short for [name]' or '[name] for short'. It cannot be used alone — you cannot say 'This name is short.' to mean it is a nickname.
3. lasting or taking only a small amount of time
lasting or taking only a small amount of time
Lakshmi took a short break after studying for three hours.
collocation: short break
Winter days are short in Norway, with only five hours of light.
We had a short meeting to discuss the new project timeline.
The bus ride to school is short enough to read a few pages.
After a short pause, the teacher continued with her lesson.
用法筆記
Frequently used with time-related nouns: short break, short visit, short period, short while.
常見錯誤
4. describes a written work that uses few words and can be read quickly
describes a written work that uses few words and can be read quickly
The professor asked us to write a short essay about climate change.
collocation: short essay / short report
Mira sent a short message to confirm the dinner reservation.
This short book can be finished in one afternoon easily.
The newspaper published his short letter about the new park plan.
We need a short summary of the report, no more than one page.
用法筆記
Used specifically for written works — books, letters, essays, messages, reports. For spoken communication (a short speech, a short conversation), use sense 3 (TIME).
5. not having enough of something that is needed or expected
not having enough of something that is needed or expected
The restaurant was short of staff, so customers waited a long time.
pattern: short of + noun
We are short on cash this month after the expensive car repairs.
pattern: short on + noun (more informal)
The team is short of players for the match on Saturday afternoon.
The hospital is running short of clean masks after the emergency.
Amani was short of options when her flight was suddenly cancelled.
- abundant
having plenty of something
- well-supplied
having enough or more than enough
文法句型
short of [something]
short on [something]
run short of [something]
用法筆記
Usually followed by of or on before a noun (short of time, short on patience). In informal speech, short can be used alone: 'I'm a little short this week.' (= I do not have enough money).
常見錯誤
6. unable to breathe easily, especially after physical effort or because of illness
unable to breathe easily, especially after physical effort or because of illness
After running up the stairs, Sirin was short of breath.
fixed phrase: short of breath
The doctor said feeling short of breath could be a sign of asthma.
Tamás became short of breath after cycling up the steep hill.
Climbing three flights of stairs leaves my aunt short of breath.
- breathless
same meaning; can be used alone (he was breathless)
- panting
describes the action of breathing quickly and loudly
- winded
informal; out of breath from exertion
文法句型
short of breath
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed expression short of breath. Cannot be used as 'short breath' — the of is mandatory.
常見錯誤
7. used about objects or resources that exist only in small numbers, so that there
used about objects or resources that exist only in small numbers, so that there are not enough for everyone who needs them
During the drought, clean drinking water was in short supply across the region.
fixed phrase: in short supply
Nikos checked three different stores, but winter coats were in short supply everywhere.
Affordable apartments in this city are in short supply, so many young people move to smaller towns.
After the factory closed, skilled workers were in short supply in the local area.
- scarce
direct synonym; can be used in more contexts than the fixed phrase
- limited
suggests there is a fixed amount, not necessarily too little
- insufficient
more formal; emphasises that the amount is not enough
文法句型
in short supply
用法筆記
Almost always used with the verb be in the fixed expression be in short supply. Common in news reports about shortages of goods, resources, or workers.
常見錯誤
8. forced to live without something that is necessary for basic well-being, such as
forced to live without something that is necessary for basic well-being, such as enough food, money, or clothing
Feng's parents always made sure their children never went short of food during hard times.
pattern: go short of [essential item]
Even on a tight budget, the family refused to let their elderly grandmother go short of medicine.
During the long winter, many families in the village went short of heating fuel for several months.
The charity works to ensure that no child in the area goes short of warm clothing in winter.
- well-off
having more than enough of life's necessities
- comfortable
having enough to meet all basic needs
文法句型
go short (of [something])
go without
用法筆記
Most common in British English. Typically used in negative constructions (never go short, not go short) or questions about whether someone has enough. The of-phrase can be omitted when the missing item is understood from context.
常見錯誤
9. speaking to someone using very few words and with a tone that clearly shows you
speaking to someone using very few words and with a tone that clearly shows you are irritated or annoyed
Gabriela was short with the receptionist because she had been waiting for over an hour.
pattern: be short with [someone]
I am sorry I was so short with you earlier — the news about the cancelled project really upset me.
The manager was short with everyone after the morning meeting went badly.
Rachid did not mean to sound short with his sister; he was just exhausted from the long flight.
文法句型
be short with [someone]
用法筆記
Always followed by with + the person being spoken to. Cannot be used without a referent — you cannot say 'He was short' to mean he spoke curtly. The person being addressed must be specified.
常見錯誤
10. describes a memory that does not hold information for long, making the person fo
describes a memory that does not hold information for long, making the person forget things easily
Padma has a short memory for names and often introduces herself twice to new colleagues.
collocation: have a short memory
My grandfather's short memory makes it hard for him to remember what he ate for breakfast.
Investors have a famously short memory when it comes to past market crashes.
Minh joked that his short memory was a blessing because he could enjoy the same movie twice.
- forgetful
describes the person rather than the memory itself
- unretentive
very formal; describes the trait of not holding information
- good memory
the ability to remember things well
- retentive
formal; describes a memory that holds information well
文法句型
have a short memory
用法筆記
Always used with memory as the noun; the adjective short modifies memory directly. Cannot describe a person — you say someone has a short memory, not that they are short-memoried. Often used figuratively to criticise people or groups who ignore past lessons.
常見錯誤
shortest — adverb
1. Not reaching an intended target, goal, or limit; ending or halting earlier than
Not reaching an intended target, goal, or limit; ending or halting earlier than expected, often without warning.
The bus stopped short of the station, so passengers walked the rest in the rain.
stop short of + location (not reaching)
Aarav cut his presentation short when the fire alarm went off.
cut + object + short (end early)
The charity fundraiser fell short of its fifty-thousand-dollar goal by nearly eight thousand.
The archer's arrow fell short of the target by just a few inches.
The horse stopped short when a snake slithered across the trail, nearly throwing its rider.
Takeshi pulled up short when he saw the collapsed tree blocking the road.
Mia stopped short mid-sentence when she noticed her boss behind her.
Heloísa stopped short when she heard her name called across the busy market.
- prematurely
implies occurring before the proper time, but not tied to goal-reaching
- early
more general; 'short' emphasises a specific limit that was not reached
- abruptly
the closest general synonym; can replace 'short' in stop-short contexts for suddenness
- suddenly
broader; 'short' implies a sharper, more immediate halt
- fully
reaching the expected extent or target
文法句型
fall short of + goal/amount
cut short + object
stop short + of + location
pull up short
用法筆記
Commonly paired with the verbs fall, cut, stop, draw up, and pull up. Fall short always requires of to introduce the unreached target. Cut short always takes a direct object (e.g., cut the meeting short). Stop short and pull up short can be used with of (emphasising not reaching a target: stop short of the line) or without of (emphasising a sudden halt to movement: stop short when something blocks the way).
常見錯誤
2. Speaking or responding in a deliberately brief, unfriendly, and discourteous way
Speaking or responding in a deliberately brief, unfriendly, and discourteous way, using as few words as possible to show annoyance or impatience.
When the journalist asked a second question, the mayor answered short: 'Next topic, please.'
answer short (respond rudely with few words)
The helpline operator spoke short to every caller, cutting people off before they finished.
Otis answered short when his sister asked about the broken vase, then left the room.
Ziad spoke short to the customer who kept asking the same question.
- politely
with courtesy and consideration
文法句型
speak short
answer short
reply short
用法筆記
This sense is restricted to verbs of speaking (answer, reply, speak, say). The more common adverb for this meaning is 'curtly'; 'short' in this sense sounds old-fashioned or literary in many dialects.
常見錯誤
3. In a position of disadvantage because something unexpected happens, leaving one
In a position of disadvantage because something unexpected happens, leaving one unprepared or without enough of what is needed.
The snowstorm caught the climbers short, with no extra food or warm clothes.
catch + someone + short (leave unprepared)
Soraya was taken short by the rent rise and had to borrow from her brother.
Luca was caught short when his wallet was stolen right before buying a train ticket.
João and his band were taken short by the venue's sudden cancellation of their show.
文法句型
catch (someone) short
be taken short
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed patterns 'catch someone short' (leave unprepared) or 'be taken short' (be caught unprepared). In British English, 'be taken short' can also be a euphemism for needing the toilet urgently.
常見錯誤
shortest — prefix
1. A prefix added to nouns to make compound adjectives that end in -ed, meaning 'ha
A prefix added to nouns to make compound adjectives that end in -ed, meaning 'having a short [noun]' — for example, a short-sleeved shirt has short sleeves, a short-legged dog has short legs, and a short-haired cat has short hair.
Lara bought a short-sleeved linen shirt for her trip to Bali.
short- + sleeve + -ed → adjective for clothing
The short-legged corgi puppy could not jump onto the sofa.
short- + leg + -ed → adjective for animal body part
Jiwoo adopted a short-haired stray cat from the local shelter.
Baraka prefers short-sleeved uniforms during the hot season.
The short-tailed Weimaraner stood out among the other dogs at the park.
文法句型
short- + noun + -ed → adjective
用法筆記
This prefix only combines with nouns that naturally describe a measurable part or feature (sleeve, leg, tail, hair, life, sight). The resulting compound always ends in the suffix -ed and is used before a noun (attributive position). Do not use this pattern for abstract nouns — you cannot say 'short-minded' or 'short-hearted'.