Meaning & use

truncate

verb·Academic

To shorten something by cutting off part of it, especially the end.

See it in a sentence

The software truncates long file names when they exceed the character limit.

The editor truncated his answer to fit the interview into the allotted time.

A note on using this word

Truncate specifically implies cutting off an ending abruptly, rather than trimming evenly throughout.

Words with a similar meaning

shortenabbreviatecut short

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

extendlengthen

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “truncate”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.