short·cut
ˈshȯrt-ˌkət 
also -ˈkət
1
: a route more direct than the one ordinarily taken
2
: a method or means of doing something more directly and quickly than and often not so thoroughly as by ordinary procedure
a shortcut to success
3
: a key or combination of keys on a computer keyboard programmed to perform a specific function when pressed
You can open any item by clicking it or by assigning it a keyboard shortcut.—
Christopher Breen
Christopher Breencalled also hot key
shortcut; shortcutting
: to shorten (a route, a procedure, etc.) by use of a shortcut
also
: circumvent
: to take or use a shortcut
Synonyms
Examples of shortcut in a Sentence
Noun
Wait, I know a shortcut. Turn left here.
We took a shortcut home.
Let's take the shortcut through the woods.
I used a shortcut to calculate the total weight.
There are no shortcuts to learning another language.
Mistakes were made because too many shortcuts were taken.
Verb
are you sure there's no way to shortcut the entrance requirements?
Recent Examples on the Web
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024
Keyboard shortcuts work well and are customizable, too.
—PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
Ron Schmelzer, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
Caramel candies: Caramel candies are melted down and help provide a foolproof shortcut to making caramel.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shortcut 
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.
Noun
Visual effects are employed throughout, but unlike with so many films groaning under the weight of CG eyesores, digital technology is used less as a shortcut than as enhancer, or for specific purposes like dropping in talking animal characters and stitching together composite shots.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024
Keyboard shortcuts work well and are customizable, too.
—PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
Verb
Educators are afraid of learners using AI systems to cheat on work or exams, or otherwise shortcut their learning experience.
—Ron Schmelzer, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
Caramel candies: Caramel candies are melted down and help provide a foolproof shortcut to making caramel.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shortcut
Dictionary Entries Near shortcut
Cite this Entry
“Shortcut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortcut. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shortcut
1 of 2 noun
short·cut
ˈshȯrt-ˌkət
-ˈkət
: a shorter, quicker, or easier way
a shortcut through the woods
a shortcut to fame
shortcut
2 of 2 verb
shortcut; shortcutting
: to take or use a shortcut
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share