Meaning & use
short circuit
An electrical fault in which current flows along an unintended path of low resistance, often causing sparks or damage.
See it in a sentence
A frayed wire caused a short circuit that knocked out power to the whole apartment.
The mechanic traced the short circuit to a corroded connector under the dashboard.
A note on using this word
As a verb, 'short-circuit' also means to bypass a normal process, as in 'short-circuit the negotiations.'
Words with a similar meaning
This term is best learned through its definition and examples.
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. verb
To bypass or disrupt the usual process or sequence of something, often to save time.
The manager short-circuited the approval process to get the shipment out that day.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “short circuit”, then compare your use with the examples above.