shortcut

UK: /ˈʃɔː^rtkʌt/ US: /ˈʃɔrtˌkʌt/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

short•cut /ˈʃɔrtˌkʌt/   n. [countable]

1. a shorter or quicker way to get somewhere:
   a shortcut between the buildings.
2. a policy or practice that reduces the time or energy needed to accomplish something.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

short-cut  (shôrt′kut′), v., -cut, -cut•ting. 
v.t. 

1. to cause to be shortened by the use of a shortcut.

v.i. 

2. to use or take a shortcut.

• 1560–70

short′-cut′ter, n. 

short•cut  (shôrt′kut′), n. 

1. a shorter or quicker way.
2. a method, procedure, policy, etc., that reduces the time or energy needed to accomplish something.

adj. 

3. constituting or providing a shorter or quicker way:
   shortcut methods.

• short + cut 1560–70

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

short cut noun

1. a route that is shorter than the usual one
2. a means of saving time or effort

verb shortcut ( -cuts, -cutting, -cut)

1. (intransitive) to use a short cut

Etymology: 16th Century: from cut (in the sense: a direct route)