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Definition of shortening

shortening

/ˈʃɔːrt.nɪŋ/
short · en · ing
Adverb:shortly
•
Plural:shortenings
•
Adjective:short
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shortening Lexical Profile

shortening Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A solid fat, such as hydrogenated vegetable oil, butter, or lard, used in baking to make pastries, pie crusts, and breads tender, crumbly, and flaky.

Example

"The baker cut cold vegetable shortening into the flour to ensure the pie crust would turn out flaky."

2

The act or process of making or becoming shorter in length, duration, or extent.

Example

"The gradual shortening of daylight hours in autumn signals many bird species to begin their southward migration."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

shortcut
shorten
shortener
shortening
shortfall
shortfin mako shark
shorthair

Word Origin & Etymology

In its culinary sense, attested from the late 18th century, the word derives from an older meaning of 'short' referring to crumbly, tender pastry—because solid fat prevents long strands of gluten from forming in dough.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Shortening. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/shortening
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