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

1. an abrupt discourteous manner
2. the property of being shorter than average stature
3. the property of being of short temporal extent
   • the shortness of air travel time
4. the property of being truncated or short
5. the condition of being short of something
   • there was no shortness of money
   • can cause shortness of breath
6. the property of being of short spatial extent
   • the shortness of the Channel crossing