shortness
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. The quality or state of being short in duration: The briefness or limited length of time something lasts. 2. The quality or state of being short in length or distance: The limited extent of something in space. 3. The quality or state being of less than average height: The condition of having little vertical stature. 4. The condition of having an inadequate supply of something; a lack or deficiency. 5. An abrupt, blunt, or curt manner; discourteous brevity in speech. 6. The condition of being cut short or truncated.
Usage and Examples
- Shortness of time/duration:
- The shortness of the meeting was a pleasant surprise.
- He complained about the shortness of his vacation.
- Shortness of length/distance:
- The shortness of the walk made it suitable for children.
- A key advantage is the shortness of the commute.
- Shortness of stature:
- His shortness was never an obstacle to his success.
- Shortness (lack/deficiency) of something:
- The project was canceled due to a shortness of funds.
- There is no shortness of enthusiasm among the volunteers.
- Shortness (curtness) of manner:
- Her shortness with the customer was unprofessional.
- He apologized for his shortness on the phone earlier.
Advanced Usage
- Medical/Physiological Context: "Shortness of breath" (dyspnea) is a common phrase meaning difficulty in breathing.
- Climbing stairs can cause shortness of breath.
- Literary/Rhetorical Context: Can refer to the concise or abrupt quality of expression.
- The shortness of the poem adds to its powerful impact.
Variants and Related Words
- Short (adj.): Of little length, duration, or height.
- Shorten (v.): To make or become short.
- Shortly (adv.): In a short time; soon; or in a few words.
- Shortage (n.): A deficiency or lack in the amount needed (closely related to definition 4).
Synonyms
- For duration: Briefness, brevity, transience.
- For length: Conciseness, compactness.
- For stature: Littleness, smallness.
- For lack: Deficiency, insufficiency, scarcity.
- For manner: Curtness, abruptness, brusqueness.
Idioms and Phrases
- Shortness of breath: A sensation of difficult or uncomfortable breathing.
- For shortness' sake: For the sake of being brief or concise. (Formal/Literary)
- We will refer to the company as "ABC" for shortness' sake.
Noun
- an abrupt discourteous manner
- the property of being shorter than average stature
- the property of being of short temporal extent
- the shortness of air travel time
- the property of being truncated or short
- the condition of being short of something
- there was no shortness of money
- can cause shortness of breath
- the property of being of short spatial extent
- the shortness of the Channel crossing