Word
abridge
/əˈbɹɪdʒ/
Definition
v. to make a book or a piece of writing shorter by removing some parts. You do this to make it easier for people to read quickly.
v. to shorten a text by omitting parts while retaining the original meaning and structure. Often used in the context of legal documents or literary works.
Examples
“The publisher decided to abridge the novel for a younger audience.”
“The legal team spent several weeks abridging the lengthy contract to highlight the most important clauses for the client.”
“While some critics argue that abridging a classic novel strips it of its historical context, others maintain that it allows modern readers to grasp the core narrative without being overwhelmed by archaic prose.”
Examples
simple
“The publisher decided to abridge the novel for a younger audience.”
contextual
“The legal team spent several weeks abridging the lengthy contract to highlight the most important clauses for the client.”
complex
“While some critics argue that abridging a classic novel strips it of its historical context, others maintain that it allows modern readers to grasp the core narrative without being overwhelmed by archaic prose.”
Etymology
From Middle English abreggen, abregge, abrigge (“curtail, lessen”), from Old French abregier, abreger, from Late Latin abbreviō, abbreviāre (“make brief”). Doublet of abbreviate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Rare
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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