shorthand

noun

short·​hand ˈshȯrt-ˌhand How to pronounce shorthand (audio)
Synonyms of shorthandnext
1
: a method of writing rapidly by substituting characters, abbreviations, or symbols for letters, sounds, words, or phrases : stenography
2
: something likened to shorthand especially in providing rapid or abbreviated communication or representation
Stereotype and cliché serve a purpose as a form of shorthand.—Stephanie Ericsson
headline shorthand
shorthand adjective

Examples of shorthand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Suez became a shorthand for the demise of the European empires and the passage from a multipolar world to the bipolar Cold War–era system. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 The same visual shorthand—a sourdough loaf, an apron or a backyard flock—can attract viewers looking for very different things. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026 As a shorthand expression of Christian faith, the verse has also appeared in commercial branding and entertainment. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026 The ‘seven-year jinx’ — the K-pop industry’s shorthand for the contract expiration point at which groups typically fracture — did not claim TWICE on schedule, but in a way, has just claimed its first member now. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shorthand

Word History

First Known Use

1636, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shorthand was in 1636

Phrases Containing shorthand

Rhymes for shorthand

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Browse Nearby Words

short-haired
shorthand
shorthanded
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Cite this Entry

“Shorthand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shorthand. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shorthand

noun
short·​hand ˈshȯrt-ˌhand How to pronounce shorthand (audio)
1
: a method of rapid writing by using symbols for sounds, words, or phrases
2
: a short or quick way of showing or saying something
shorthand adjective
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