Curtailed Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈkərtəlɪd/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Adjective

Definition

Limited, shortened, or abbreviated in duration, extent, or amount.

Examples

• The meeting was curtailed to one hour due to the time constraints.
• The project was curtailed due to budgetary issues.

Synonyms

• Shortened
• Curbed
• Abbreviated

Antonyms

• Extended
• Lengthened
• Prolonged

Additional Information

Curtailing something can be a way to save time, resources, or effort. It is often used in business, project management, and planning contexts. However, it can also be used more broadly to describe any situation where something is reduced in duration, extent, or amount.

Curtailing can have both positive and negative effects, depending on the context. On one hand, it can help to streamline processes, reduce unnecessary expenses, or increase efficiency. On the other hand, it can also lead to loss of productivity, reduced quality, or dissatisfaction.

Etymology

The word “curtailed” comes from the Old French “curtailer”, meaning “to cut short”, and the Latin “curtare”, meaning “to cut”. It has been used in English since the 15th century.

Usage Notes

Curtailing something is often used in formal or professional contexts, but it can also be used in informal conversations. It is commonly used to describe reducing the duration of an event, the scope of a project, or the amount of resources allocated to a task.

Cultural References

The word “curtailed” has been used in various cultural context, such as in literature, music, and film. For example, in the novel “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the character Jay Gatsby’s aspirations are curtailed by the societal norms of the time.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• To curtail something means to reduce its scope, duration, or amount.

Related Words or Phrases

• Reduce
• Shorten
• Abbreviate
• Limit

Collocations

• To curtail a project
• To curtail expenses
• To curtail a budget
• To curtail a schedule

Frequency of Use

The frequency of use of the word “curtailed” is relatively low compared to other words in the English language. However, it is commonly used in formal or professional contexts, such as in business, project management, and planning.

Common Misspellings

• Curtaild
• Curtailedly
• Cutallied