noun
shorthand
SHAWT-hand
noun
1
A fast system of writing using symbols or abbreviations instead of full words.
"The secretary took notes in shorthand during the meeting."
2
A quick, informal way of referring to or explaining something.
"People use "the Big Apple" as shorthand for New York City."
"In shorthand, we just call the project "Phase 2"."
How to Use Shorthand
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fast writing system, or any quick way of saying something complex.
Common pairings
write in shorthand
a shorthand for
legal shorthand
Word Forms
shorthanded past tense, shorthands plural, shorthands singular
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Etymology
From short + hand, in the sense of "handwriting" or "style of penmanship".