shortness
Not being tall
Shortness is the quality of being short—in length, height, duration, or supply.
Physical shortness describes limited stature: He was self-conscious about his shortness.
Temporal shortness indicates brevity: the shortness of the days in winter.
Shortness of breath means difficulty breathing.
Shortness can also describe curtness in manner: There was a shortness in her reply that stung.
Short in duration
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- transientTemporary, soon departing
- ephemeralLasting very briefly
- momentaryLasting very briefly
temporary · succinct · laconic · pithy · terse · conciseness · curtailment · abridgment
Abrupt and dismissive
- curtAbruptly rude in speech
- bluntDull or tactlessly direct
- terseBrief to bluntness
- abruptSharp and unexpected
snappish · gruff · clipped · dismissive · impatient · rude · sharp · snippy
Deficiency or absence
- insufficiencyShortfall in amount needed
- deficitAmount still owed
- shortfallFailure to reach quota
- scarcityInsufficiency of something needed
paucity · dearth · inadequacy · wanting · meager · sparse · limited · incomplete
Vertical extent upward
- smallLimited in size
- diminutiveVery small, or nickname form
- petiteSmall and delicate
- tinyExtremely small in size
compact · undersized · pint-sized · elfin · squat · stubby · low · little
brief
Short in duration
momentary · temporary · succinct · laconic · pithy · terse · conciseness · curtailment · abridgment · synopsis
brusque
Abrupt and dismissive
abrupt · snappish · gruff · clipped · dismissive · impatient · rude · sharp · snippy · grumpy
lack
Deficiency or absence
- insufficiencyShortfall in amount needed
- deficitAmount still owed
- shortfallFailure to reach quota
scarcity · paucity · dearth · inadequacy · wanting · meager · sparse · limited · incomplete · unfulfilled
height
Vertical extent upward
- smallLimited in size
- diminutiveVery small, or nickname form
- petiteSmall and delicate
tiny · compact · undersized · pint-sized · elfin · squat · stubby · low · little · dwarfism
breathlessness
Difficulty drawing air
dyspnea · wheezing · labored · exertion · asthma · respiratory · huffing · puffing · hyperventilation · fatigue
shortnesslongness
Extended spatial measure
length · lengthiness · elongation · extension · extensiveness
shortnesslength
Measure of extent
lengthiness · prolongation · duration · protraction · prolonging
- shortness of breathDifficulty inhaling enough air