# Shorter

/ˈʃɔɹtɝ/ (US) · /ʃˈɔːtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shorter
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. less length or height

adjective · CEFR A1

having less length, height, or time than something else.

For teachers: the comparative form of 'short', indicating a smaller measurement in distance, height, or duration relative to another entity.

- The new road is much shorter than the old one, so we will arrive early.
- The winter days grow significantly shorter as the solstice approaches, forcing the local wildlife to adjust their foraging patterns.

Usage: Followed by 'than' when comparing two specific things.

### 2. finance/short seller

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Technical

someone who sells stocks they don't own yet, hoping the price will go down so they can buy them back cheaper.

For teachers: a market participant who engages in short selling, borrowing an asset to sell it with the intention of repurchasing it at a lower price.

- The shorters lost a lot of money when the company's stock price suddenly went up.
- Market volatility increased as the shorters were forced to cover their positions following the unexpected quarterly earnings report.

Usage: Often used in the plural to refer to a group of investors.

Teaching tip: This is specific to stock market jargon; in everyday life, 'shorter' is almost exclusively an adjective.

## Examples

- The blue pencil is shorter than the red one.
- The winter days are much shorter in the north, with the sun setting before four in the afternoon.
- While the shorter route appears more efficient on a map, the significant elevation gain makes it a more demanding choice for inexperienced hikers.

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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.