short form

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A shortened version of a word, name or phrase, used to save time or space.

   Grammar: Often followed by of: the short form of Elizabeth is Liz.

   Patterns

   • the short form of something
   • a short form for something

   Info is a common short form of information.

   The short form of the United Kingdom is the UK.

   Texting made many short forms popular.

2. 2nouncountable

   A simpler, less detailed version of a document, form or report.

   Grammar: Contrasted with long form: fill out the short form instead.

   Patterns

   • the short form of something

   Taxpayers with simple incomes can file the short form.

   The clinic gave me the short form because I only needed a quick checkup.

   Please use the short form for small claims.

3. 3adjectivebefore a noun

   Describing content, such as writing or video, that is brief rather than long and detailed.

   Grammar: Usually hyphenated before a noun: short-form video.

   Patterns

   • short-form content

   Short-form video apps are popular among teenagers.

   She prefers short-form writing like poems and tweets.

   The brand focuses on short-form ads.

Word forms

Common combinations

the short form of

Bob is a short form of Robert.

short-form video

Short-form video is changing how people watch the news.

short-form content

The company creates short-form content for social media.

use the short form

You can use the short form if your income is simple.

a common short form

Gym is a common short form of gymnasium.

Synonyms and how they differ

abbreviation

An abbreviation is a shortened written form, and a short form can also be spoken, like mic for microphone.

contraction

A contraction is made by joining words with an apostrophe, such as can't, which is narrower than short form.

nickname

A nickname is an informal replacement for a name and need not be shorter, while a short form is always shortened.

abridged version

An abridged version refers to a text with parts cut out, whereas short form for documents suggests a simpler layout.

Opposites

Word family

form noun

a shape, type or document

short adjective

not long

shorten verb

to make shorter

shortened adjective

made shorter

long form noun

the full, longer version

Commonly confused: short form or shorthand?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “short form”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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