short
Translation
short, brief, lacking
Examples
This is a very short book.
This is a very short book.
He is quite short for his age.
He is quite short for his age.
We are short of milk.
We are short of milk.
I'll give you a short answer.
I'll give you a short answer.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) is short not long This is a very short book.
((sb.)) is short not tall He is quite short for his age.
to be short of ((sth.)) to not have enough of (sth.) We are short of milk.
Similar Words
Synonyms: brief, concise; Antonyms: long, tall
Etymology
From Old English 'sceort', meaning 'cut short'.
Memory Tips
Think of a short ruler for length, and a short person for height, to remember its two main meanings.