short

Definitions

1. adjective

   Not long from one end to the other.

   Examples

   • He cut a short piece of rope.
   • The path was short but steep.
   ≈low≈narrow≈slim≈shallow≠long +4 more
2. adjective

   Not tall.

   Examples

   • He is rather short for a basketball player.
   • The bookshelf is short enough to fit under the window.
   ≈little≈pint-sized≈petite≈titchy≠tall
3. adjective

   Lasting only a little time.

   Examples

   • Our meeting was a short six minutes today.
   • It was a short trip.
   ≈brief≈concise≠long
4. adjective

   Being a shorter form of a longer word.

   Examples

   • Phone is short for telephone.
   • Fridge is short for refrigerator.
5. adjective

   In cricket, close to the batter.

   Examples

   • The captain moved a fielder to short leg.
   • He was caught by the man at short.
   ≠long
6. adjective

   In cricket, bowled so the ball bounces far from the batter.

   Examples

   • He bowled a short ball and the batter hit it for four.
   • The bowler dropped it short and paid for it.
7. adjective

   In golf, not reaching the hole or green.

   Examples

   • His shot fell short of the green.
   • The putt stopped a foot short.
8. adjective

   In betting, with small returns for the money you bet.

   Examples

   • The favorite went off at short odds.
   • Betting on the favorite only pays short returns.
9. adjective

   Crumbly and easy to break, said of pastry or metal.

   Examples

   • Shortbread has a short, crumbly texture.
   • The hot metal became short and brittle.
10. adjective

    Brief and a little rude.

    Examples

    • He gave a short answer to the question.
    • She was short with me because she was tired.