Curtail
/kɜrˈteɪl/
verbB2
Definition
To curtail something means to make it smaller, shorter, or less in amount or time. It often happens when you stop an activity or limit it before it normally would end or be complete. People curtail things to save time, money, or resources.
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See It in Action
To reduce the length or duration of something
- •The meeting was curtailed because of the fire alarm.
- •Due to bad weather, the outdoor event was curtailed.
- •The government curtailed the working hours during the strike.
To limit or reduce the amount or extent of something
- •Budget cuts curtailed the company’s spending on training.
- •New laws curtailed people's freedom to protest.
- •The illness curtailed his ability to work for several weeks.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "curtail" like "cut" (A1 word), but not just cutting anything—cutting to make something shorter or less than before.
- ✓Picture a long ribbon being cut shorter so it is not as long as before.
- ✓It's the feeling when your holiday is shorter than planned because you need to go back early.
- ✓Sounds like "cur-tail" → imagine a tail on an animal getting shorter or cut off.
- ✓Think of a story where a party ends early because of rain—the fun is curtailed (stopped early).
- ✓NOT like "stop" (which ends completely), "curtail" means reduce or shorten but may not fully stop.
- ✓NOT like "reduce" (which can mean less in any way), "curtail" often means cutting time or length specifically.
- ✓NOT like "delay" (which means to make later), "curtail" means to make less or shorter.
Try Other Words
- •Reduce: make smaller or less (Use when talking about amounts or size, less formal)
- •Limit: set a boundary or maximum (Use when you want to say something is controlled or restricted)
- •Shorten: make something shorter in length or time (Use when focusing on time or length)
- •Cut back: to use less or do less of something (Use in casual contexts, especially about spending or activities)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "cur-" (from Latin root related to care or attention) + "tail" (from Old French "tailler" meaning to cut)
- •Etymology: From Old French "courtault," from "court" meaning short, related to cutting short or making brief
- •Historical development: Started in English in the 15th century meaning to cut short or reduce
- •Modern usage: Used to describe reducing time, amount, or extent of something, often in formal or official contexts
Reflect & Connect
•Can curtailing something sometimes be good? When might it help or hurt?
•How do you decide when to curtail an activity or spending in your own life?
Fill in the blanks
1.The manager decided to curtail the project ___ due to lack of funds.
2.During the storm, the outdoor concert was curtailed ___ to keep everyone safe.
3.Laws were introduced to curtail ___ the use of plastic bags in the city.
4.When you curtail your spending, you usually want to ___ money.
5.Unlike stopping completely, to curtail means to ___ or reduce something.
6.The teacher curtailed the lesson ___ because the students were tired.
7.If a company curtails production, it means they make ___ products than before.