shorten crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com, your go-to resource for solving the trickiest crossword clues! If you're looking for solutions to "shorten crossword", you've come to the right place. We provide a comprehensive list of answers, organized by letter count, along with clear explanations to help you complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "shorten crossword" by Letter Count
3 Letters
CUT: To reduce something in length, often sharply.
4 Letters
CLIP: To shorten by cutting, often a small amount from the end.
ABBR: A common abbreviation used in crosswords to denote a shortened form of a word or phrase, e.g., 'abbr.' for 'abbreviation'.
6 Letters
REDUCE: To make something smaller or less in amount or extent.
8 Letters
TRUNCATE: To shorten by cutting off the top or end, often specifically referring to text or data.
More About "shorten crossword"
"Shorten" is a common concept in crosswords, often appearing in various forms to hint at words that mean to reduce, abridge, or condense. Clues might use synonyms like "cut," "trim," "pare," "clip," or even more formal terms like "truncate" or "condense." The context of the puzzle, especially surrounding letters, is key to determining the exact answer.
Sometimes, "shorten" might even refer to an abbreviation itself, a frequent element in many crossword puzzles. For example, a clue could be "Address shortened" leading to "ST" for street, or "Doctor, for short" leading to "MD". Understanding these common crossword tropes can significantly speed up your solving process.
Our goal is to provide not just the answers, but also the reasoning behind them, helping you build your crossword-solving vocabulary and intuition. By understanding the different ways a clue like "shorten crossword" can be interpreted, you'll be better equipped for future puzzles.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Letter Count: Always check the number of letters required for the answer. This is the first and most crucial filter for any possible solution.
- Look for Synonyms and Antonyms: Many clues, like "shorten," rely on finding direct synonyms. Conversely, sometimes the answer is an antonym with a subtle hint.
- Check for Crosswordese and Abbreviations: Be aware of common words frequently used in crosswords (e.g., 'ORE,' 'ERE,' 'ELI') and common abbreviations (like 'ABBR' in this case) as they often appear as answers to "shortened" or indirect clues.
- Context is King: Use the letters you've already filled in from intersecting words. These can often eliminate many possibilities and confirm the correct answer.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "shorten crossword" mean in a crossword clue?
When a crossword clue asks you to "shorten" something, it typically refers to finding a synonym for 'abbreviate,' 'reduce,' 'trim,' 'cut,' or 'condense.' The answer will be a word that means to make something shorter or less extensive, often literally or metaphorically.
Why are there multiple answers for one crossword clue?
Crossword clues can have multiple valid answers because words have synonyms, and the exact word chosen by the puzzle constructor depends on the intersecting letters in the grid. Different puzzles might use the same clue to hint at different words of varying lengths or specific nuances. This site provides all possible known solutions to help you narrow it down.
How can I improve my crossword-solving speed?
To improve speed, familiarize yourself with common crosswordese (frequently used words like 'ERE,' 'OPEC,' 'ELI'), practice regularly, pay attention to the clue's part of speech (e.g., noun, verb, adverb), and look for patterns in recurring themes or clue styles. Using a dictionary or thesaurus when stuck can also help build your vocabulary over time.