Skip to main content

shorthanda method of rapid writing using abbreviations and symbols

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a method of rapid writing using abbreviations and symbols

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈʃɔːrt.hænd/

Example Sentences

  • The secretary's shorthand looked like ancient hieroglyphics to everyone else.
  • CEO became shorthand for 'Chief Executive Officer' in business meetings.
  • My shorthand is so bad that even I can't read my own notes!

shorthand

NOUN

[/ˈʃɔːrt.hænd/]

a method of rapid writing using abbreviations and symbols

Court reporter using rapid symbol writing
💡 Concept

Court reporter using rapid symbol writing

The secretary wrote the meeting in shorthand instead of full sentences. (✍️ Short + ✋ Hand → Shorthand = a shortened way of writing by hand.)
🧠 Mnemonic

The secretary wrote the meeting in shorthand instead of full sentences. (✍️ Short + ✋ Hand → Shorthand = a shortened way of writing by hand.)

The speaker kept the talk short, and the secretary turned it into shorthand notes in seconds.
🎵 Rhyme

The speaker kept the talk short, and the secretary turned it into shorthand notes in seconds.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈʃɔːrt.hænd/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈʃɔːt.hænd/

🌳Etymology

Rootshort
Suffix-hand

Origin

Shorthand emerged in the 17th century as a compound of the English words 'short' and 'hand'. It originally referred to a rapid writing technique using abbreviated symbols and concise marks, allowing scribes to write quickly by hand.

Breakdown

short (brief, abbreviated) + hand (manual writing) = a system of abbreviated writing performed by hand

🎵Rhyme

beforehandsecondhandunderstand
beforehand
secondhand
understand

🔗Collocations

learn shorthand
take shorthand
shorthand notation
shorthand for something
write in shorthand
shorthand secretary

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The secretary's shorthand looked like ancient hieroglyphics to everyone else.

CEO became shorthand for 'Chief Executive Officer' in business meetings.

😄 Fun example

My shorthand is so bad that even I can't read my own notes!

She used 'LOL' as shorthand for 'laugh out loud' in her text messages.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

stenographyabbreviationnotationcodesymbol system

Antonyms

longhandfull textcomplete writing

Related

typingtranscriptionsecretarynotesabbreviate

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.