truncate

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitiveformal

   To shorten something by cutting off part, especially the end, rather than reducing it evenly.

   Grammar: Takes an object: truncate a sentence; the abrupt ending is central to the meaning.

   Patterns

   • truncate something
   • truncate something to a length
   • badly or severely truncated

   The editor had to truncate the article to fit the page.

   A power failure truncated the final minutes of the recording.

2. 2verbtransitivecomputingtechnical

   To shorten a number, data field, or sequence by dropping part without rounding.

   Grammar: Common in computing and technical use; often followed by to: truncate the value to two decimals.

   Patterns

   • truncate a number to places
   • truncate data
   • truncate a table or file

   The program truncates the average to two decimal places.

   Never truncate a file unless you have a backup copy.

Word forms

Common combinations

truncate a sentence

The style guide says to truncate a sentence only when space demands it.

truncate data

The system may truncate data fields longer than fifty characters.

truncate to two decimal places

For the report, truncate to two decimal places rather than rounding up.

Synonyms and how they differ

abbreviate

Abbreviate shortens words or phrases by contraction; truncate cuts off an ending abruptly.

curtail

Curtail reduces scope or duration, often by authority, not necessarily by cutting the end.

crop

Crop removes outer parts, especially edges of images or plants; truncate focuses on an abrupt cut.

Opposites

Word family

truncation noun

The act of shortening by cutting off, or the state of being shortened.

truncated adjective

Shortened by having part cut off, often sounding abrupt or incomplete.

Commonly confused: truncate or transcribe?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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