# abridgeable

CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abridgeable
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

able to be shortened or made shorter. You use this to describe a book, a story, or a law that can be reduced in length without losing its main meaning.

For teachers: capable of being shortened or condensed while retaining the essential meaning or content. Often used in legal or literary contexts to describe texts that can be summarized.

## Examples

- The long novel is abridgeable into a short version.
- The legal team confirmed that the contract was abridgeable, allowing them to remove the unnecessary clauses before signing.
- While the original manuscript is too lengthy for a single volume, the author believes the narrative is abridgeable without sacrificing the intricate character development that defines the series.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.