Difference Wiki

Petite vs. Short

Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 28, 2023
Petite refers to having a small, slender build, usually used for women, while short denotes lesser height or length, applicable to people, objects, or time.

Key Differences

Petite and short are terms often used to describe stature, but they have distinct connotations and usages. "Petite" is primarily used to describe women who are short in height but also have a small, proportionate build. It is often related to clothing sizes that are designed to fit women of smaller stature, focusing not only on height but also on overall body proportions. On the other hand, "short" is a more generic term that simply refers to a measurement that is less than average, be it height, length, or duration. It can apply to people, objects, or time periods and does not imply any specific body proportions.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
In the context of language use, "petite" tends to have a more positive or neutral connotation, often associated with elegance and delicacy, especially when referring to women. "Short" can be neutral, positive, or negative based on the context, describing lack of length or height in people, objects, or durations, and can be used to imply insufficiency or inadequacy in certain situations.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 28, 2023
When referring to individuals, "petite" implies a specific body type along with shorter height, typically characterized by a slender, delicate frame, and well-proportioned features. It’s a term more exclusive to the fashion and clothing industry, used to denote special sizing for women under 5'4". In contrast, "short" describes individuals who are below the average height, irrespective of gender, build, or proportions. It does not specify any other physical characteristics and is not exclusive to the fashion industry.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
"Petite" has a more specialized and narrow application, mainly used in the context of women's apparel, emphasizing the fit and proportions suitable for smaller builds. It is more about the combination of height and proportions, providing an overall aesthetic appeal. "Short," meanwhile, has a broader and more versatile application, being used to describe anything lacking in length or duration, such as short hair, short distance, or short movie, making it a more universally applicable term.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Comparison Chart

Definition

Refers to a small, slender, well-proportioned build, usually in women.
Describes lesser height, length, or duration.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Application

Specific to women's clothing and body type.
Universal, applies to people, objects, and time.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
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Connotation

Positive or neutral, associated with elegance and delicacy.
Can be neutral, positive, or negative based on context.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Context

Mainly in fashion and apparel, referring to a specific body type.
Broad, referring to any lack of length or height.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Proportion

Includes consideration of body proportions.
Does not consider proportions, focuses on length or height.
Samantha Walker
Sep 28, 2023

Petite and Short Definitions

Petite

Referring to a specific clothing size for short women.
She found a gorgeous dress in the petite section.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Short

Measuring a small distance from end to end.
He took a short route to reach the destination.
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023

Petite

Having a small, slender, and well-proportioned figure.
She looked elegant in petite clothing suited to her frame.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
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Short

Of a brief duration.
It was a short but sweet visit.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Petite

Characterized by delicacy or diminutive size.
The petite flowers adorned the table beautifully.
Samantha Walker
Sep 28, 2023

Short

Insufficient or less than is needed.
We are short on supplies.
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023

Petite

Small in size and amount.
She has a petite appetite and eats very selectively.
Samantha Walker
Sep 28, 2023

Short

Abrupt or concise in expression or statement.
He gave a short reply to the lengthy question.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 28, 2023

Petite

Designed to fit women who are shorter than average.
The petite section offers a variety of stylish outfits.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
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Short

Having little length; not long.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Petite

Short and slender
This rack of clothing is for petite women.
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Jan 09, 2023

Short

Having little height; not tall.
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Jan 09, 2023

Petite

Small in size or scope; tiny
“a bagel that is fairly petite by today's standards” (Ed Levine).
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Jan 09, 2023

Short

Extending or traveling not far or not far enough
A short toss.
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Petite

A clothing size for short, slender women.
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Jan 09, 2023

Short

Lasting a brief time
A short holiday.
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Petite

(especially of a woman) fairly short and of slim build.
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Short

Appearing to pass quickly
Finished the job in a few short months.
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Petite

(clothing) of small size.
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Short

Not lengthy; succinct
Short and to the point.
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Petite

Small, little; insignificant; petty.
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Short

Rudely brief; abrupt
The owner was quite short with the new hire.
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Petite

Small, little; of a woman or girl, of small size and trim figure.
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Short

Easily provoked; irascible
Has a short temper.
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Jan 09, 2023

Petite

A garment size for short or slender women
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Jan 09, 2023

Short

Inadequate; insufficient
Oil in short supply.
Were short on experience.
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Jan 09, 2023

Petite

Very small;
Diminutive in stature
A lilliputian chest of drawers
Her petite figure
Tiny feet
The flyspeck nation of Bahrain moved toward democracy
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Jan 09, 2023

Short

Lacking in length or amount
A board that is short two inches.
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Short

Lacking in breadth or scope
A short view of the problem.
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Short

Deficient in retentiveness
A short memory.
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Short

Holding a trading position that is inversely related to the price of a security or index
Short investors.
An investor who is short gold.
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Short

Of or relating to a short sale
A short position.
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Short

Containing a large amount of shortening; flaky
A short pie crust.
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Short

Not ductile; brittle
Short iron.
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Jan 09, 2023

Short

(Linguistics) Of, relating to, or being a speech sound of relatively brief duration, as the first vowel sound in the Latin word mălus, "evil," as compared with the same or a similar sound of relatively long duration, as the first vowel sound in the Latin word mālus, "apple tree."
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

(Grammar) Of, relating to, or being a vowel sound in English, such as the vowel sound (ă) in pat or () in put, that is descended from a vowel of brief duration.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Being of relatively brief duration. Used of a syllable in quantitative prosody.
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Short

(Slang) Close to the end of a tour of military duty.
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Short

Abruptly; quickly
Stop short.
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Short

In a rude or curt manner.
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Short

At a point before a given boundary, limit, or goal
A missile that landed short of the target.
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Short

At a disadvantage
We were caught short by the sudden storm.
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Jan 09, 2023

Short

By means of a short sale
Selling a commodity short.
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Short

(Linguistics) A short syllable, vowel, or consonant.
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Short

A brief film; a short subject.
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Short

A size of clothing less long than the average for that size.
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Short

Shorts Short pants extending to the knee or above.
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Short

Shorts Undershorts.
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Short

A short sale.
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Short

One that sells short.
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Short

Shorts A byproduct of wheat processing that consists of germ, bran, and coarse meal or flour.
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Short

Shorts Clippings or trimmings that remain as byproducts in various manufacturing processes, often used to make an inferior variety of the product.
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Short

A short circuit.
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Short

A malfunction caused by a short circuit.
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Short

(Baseball) A shortstop.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

To cause a short circuit in.
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Short

(Informal) To give (one) less than one is entitled to; shortchange.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

To short-sell (a security or index).
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

To short-circuit.
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Short

Having a small distance from one end or edge to another, either horizontally or vertically.
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Short

(of a person) Of comparatively small height.
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Jan 09, 2023

Short

Having little duration.
Our meeting was a short six minutes today. Every day for the past month it’s been at least twenty minutes long.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

(followed by for) Of a word or phrase, constituting an abbreviation (for another) or shortened form (of another).
"Phone" is short for "telephone" and "asap" short for "as soon as possible".
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

That is relatively close to the batsman.
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Short

Bowled so that it bounces relatively far from the batsman.
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Short

That falls short of the green or the hole.
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Short

(gambling) Of betting odds, offering a small return for the money wagered.
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Short

Brittle, crumbly. See shortbread, shortcake, shortcrust, shortening, hot short, cold-short.
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Short

Abrupt; brief; pointed; petulant.
He gave a short answer to the question.
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Short

Limited in quantity; inadequate; insufficient; scanty.
A short supply of provisions
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Short

Insufficiently provided; inadequately supplied, especially with money; scantily furnished; lacking.
To be short of money
I'd lend you the cash but I'm a little short at present.
The cashier came up short ten dollars on his morning shift.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Deficient; less; not coming up to a measure or standard.
An account which is short of the truth
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Short

(colloquial) Undiluted; neat.
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Short

(obsolete) Not distant in time; near at hand.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

(finance) Being in a financial investment position that is structured to be profitable if the price of the underlying security declines in the future.
Short position
I'm short in General Motors because I think their sales are plunging.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

(by extension) Doubtful of, skeptical of.
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Short

Of money: given in the fewest possible notes, i.e. those of the largest denomination.
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Short

Abruptly, curtly, briefly.
They had to stop short to avoid hitting the dog in the street.
He cut me short repeatedly in the meeting.
The boss got a message and cut the meeting short.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Unawares.
The recent developments at work caught them short.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Without achieving a goal or requirement.
His speech fell short of what was expected.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Relatively far from the batsman and hence bouncing higher than normal; opposite of full.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

(finance) With a negative ownership position.
We went short most finance companies in July.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

A short circuit.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

A short film.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

A short version of a garment in a particular size.
38 short suits fit me right off the rack.
Do you have that size in a short?
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

(baseball) A shortstop.
Jones smashes a grounder between third and short.
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Jan 09, 2023

Short

(finance) A short seller.
The market decline was terrible, but the shorts were buying champagne.
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Jan 09, 2023

Short

(finance) A short sale or short position.
He closed out his short at a modest loss after three months.
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Jan 09, 2023

Short

A summary account.
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Jan 09, 2023

Short

(phonetics) A short sound, syllable, or vowel.
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Short

(programming) An integer variable having a smaller range than normal integers; usually two bytes long.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

An automobile; especially in crack shorts, to break into automobiles.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

(transitive) To cause a short circuit in (something).
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

To short circuit.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

(transitive) To shortchange.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

To provide with a smaller than agreed or labeled amount.
This is the third time I’ve caught them shorting us.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

To sell something, especially securities, that one does not own at the moment for delivery at a later date in hopes of profiting from a decline in the price; to sell short.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

(obsolete) To shorten.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Deficient in.
We are short a few men on the second shift.
He's short common sense.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

(finance) Having a negative position in.
I don’t want to be short the market going into the weekend.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Not long; having brief length or linear extension; as, a short distance; a short piece of timber; a short flight.
The bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Not extended in time; having very limited duration; not protracted; as, short breath.
The life so short, the craft so long to learn.
To short absense I could yield.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Limited in quantity; inadequate; insufficient; scanty; as, a short supply of provisions, or of water.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Insufficiently provided; inadequately supplied; scantily furnished; lacking; not coming up to a resonable, or the ordinary, standard; - usually with of; as, to be short of money.
We shall be short in our provision.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Deficient; defective; imperfect; not coming up, as to a measure or standard; as, an account which is short of the trith.
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Jan 09, 2023

Short

Not distant in time; near at hand.
Marinell was sore offendedThat his departure thence should be so short.
He commanded those who were appointed to attend him to be ready by a short day.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Limited in intellectual power or grasp; not comprehensive; narrow; not tenacious, as memory.
Their own short understandings reachNo farther than the present.
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Jan 09, 2023

Short

Less important, efficaceous, or powerful; not equal or equivalent; less (than); - with of.
Hardly anything short of an invasion could rouse them again to war.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Abrupt; brief; pointed; petulant; as, he gave a short answer to the question.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Breaking or crumbling readily in the mouth; crisp; as, short pastry.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Brittle.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Not prolonged, or relatively less prolonged, in utterance; - opposed to long, and applied to vowels or to syllables. In English, the long and short of the same letter are not, in most cases, the long and short of the same sound; thus, the i in ill is the short sound, not of i in isle, but of ee in eel, and the e in pet is the short sound of a in pate, etc. See Quantity, and Guide to Pronunciation, 22, 30.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

A summary account.
The short and the long is, our play is preferred.
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Jan 09, 2023

Short

The part of milled grain sifted out which is next finer than the bran.
The first remove above bran is shorts.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Short, inferior hemp.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Breeches; shortclothes.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

A short sound, syllable, or vowel.
If we compare the nearest conventional shorts and longs in English, as in "bit" and "beat," "not" and "naught," we find that the short vowels are generally wide, the long narrow, besides being generally diphthongic as well. Hence, originally short vowels can be lengthened and yet kept quite distinct from the original longs.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

In a short manner; briefly; limitedly; abruptly; quickly; as, to stop short in one's course; to turn short.
He was taken up very short, and adjudged corrigible for such presumptuous language.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

To shorten.
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Jan 09, 2023

Short

To fail; to decrease.
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Short

The location on a baseball field where the shortstop is stationed
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Short

Accidental contact between two points in an electric circuit that have a potential difference
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Short

The fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed between 2nd and 3rd base
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Short

Cheat someone by not returning him enough money
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Short

Create a short-circuit in
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Short

Primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration;
A short life
A short flight
A short holiday
A short story
Only a few short months
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Short

Primarily spatial sense; having little length or lacking in length;
Short skirts
Short hair
The board was a foot short
A short toss
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Short

Low in stature; not tall;
His was short and stocky
Short in stature
A short smokestack
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Jan 09, 2023

Short

Not sufficient to meet a need;
An inadequate income
A poor salary
Money is short
On short rations
Food is in short supply
Short on experience
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Short

Not holding securities or commodities that one sells in expectation of a fall in prices;
A short sale
Short in cotton
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Short

Of speech sounds (especially vowels) of relatively short duration (as e.g. the English vowel sounds in `pat', `pet', `pit', `pot', putt')
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Containing a large amount of shortening; therefore tender and easy to crumble or break into flakes;
Shortbread is a short crumbly cookie
A short flaky pie crust
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023

Short

Less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so;
A light pound
A scant cup of sugar
Regularly gives short weight
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Short

Used of syllables that are unaccented or of relatively brief duration
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Short

(of memory) deficient in retentiveness or range;
A short memory
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Short

Lacking foresight or scope;
A short view of the problem
Shortsighted policies
Shortsighted critics derided the plan
Myopic thinking
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Short

Unwilling to endure;
She was short with the slower students
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Short

Quickly aroused to anger;
A hotheaded commander
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Short

Most direct;
Took the shortest and most direct route to town
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Short

Marked by rude or peremptory shortness;
Try to cultivate a less brusque manner
A curt reply
The salesgirl was very short with him
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Short

Quickly and without warning;
He stopped suddenly
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Short

Without possessing something at the time it is contractually sold;
He made his fortune by selling short just before the crash
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Short

Clean across;
The car's axle snapped short
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Short

At some point or distance before a goal is reached;
He fell short of our expectations
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Short

So as to interrupt;
She took him up short before he could continue
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Short

At a disadvantage;
I was caught short
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Short

Tightly;
She caught him up short on his lapel
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Short

In a curt, abrupt and discourteous manner;
He told me curtly to get on with it
He talked short with everyone
He said shortly that he didn't like it
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Jan 09, 2023

Short

Lacking in length or height.
He is short but has a muscular build.
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023

FAQs

Can short describe duration as well as height?

Yes, short can describe anything lacking in length, height, or duration.
Samantha Walker
Sep 28, 2023

Does petite specifically refer to women’s stature and build?

Yes, petite refers to women who are short with a small and well-proportioned build.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Can short be used to describe both genders?

Yes, short can describe individuals of any gender who are below average height.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Does petite always imply a slender build?

Generally, petite refers to a small, slender, and proportionate build, but it primarily denotes shorter height.
Harlon Moss
Sep 28, 2023

Is petite mainly used in the fashion and clothing industry?

Yes, petite is primarily used in fashion to describe clothing sizes for shorter women with smaller builds.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Is the term petite exclusive to women?

Typically, yes, petite is used to describe women with a short and slender build.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 28, 2023

Does petite refer to specific clothing sizes?

Yes, petite refers to specific clothing sizes designed to fit women who are shorter and have a smaller build.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Can petite also refer to small quantities or amounts?

Yes, petite can describe anything small in size or amount, such as a petite serving of food.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 28, 2023

Can short describe concise expressions or statements?

Yes, short can also refer to abrupt or concise expressions or statements.
Samantha Walker
Sep 28, 2023

Is short applicable to objects as well as people?

Yes, short can describe the length or height of objects, people, or the duration of time.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 28, 2023

Is the term petite derived from the French language?

Yes, the term petite is derived from French, meaning small or little.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 28, 2023

Can short have a negative connotation in some contexts?

Yes, short can imply insufficiency or inadequacy and have a negative connotation in some situations.
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023

Is short a more universally applicable term than petite?

Yes, short is a versatile term that can describe height, length, or duration in various contexts.
Samantha Walker
Sep 28, 2023

Is petite associated with elegance and delicacy?

Often, petite is associated with a sense of elegance and delicacy, especially in the context of women.
Samantha Walker
Sep 28, 2023

Can short refer to a measurement of distance?

Yes, short can describe a small distance from end to end, like a short route or distance.
Harlon Moss
Sep 28, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira Riaz
Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera Saeed
Sumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.

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