shortcut

An easier or faster way to get somewhere or do something.

• This shortcut saves time.
• We found a shortcut to finish the job faster.
• Is there a shortcut to getting this done?

Similar words: quicker way, easier way

Common phrases: take a shortcut, find a shortcut, use a shortcut

A small computer file or icon that quickly opens another file, folder, or program.

• Click the shortcut to open the program.
• I put a shortcut on my desktop.
• These shortcuts link to my work folders.

How to use it: shortcut to something (I added a shortcut to the folder.)

Similar words: link

Common phrases: desktop shortcut, create a shortcut, shortcut icon

A route that gets you somewhere faster than the usual route.

• We took a shortcut home.
• The shortcut through the woods was muddy.
• Do you know a shortcut to the beach?

How to use it: shortcut through something (We took a shortcut through the park.); shortcut to somewhere (This is a shortcut to the station.)

Similar words: shorter route

Common phrases: take a shortcut, shortcut through something, a useful shortcut

A way of doing something faster by leaving out some usual steps.

• This recipe offers a useful shortcut.
• They took shortcuts and the roof leaked.
• There are no shortcuts to learning a language well.

How to use it: shortcut to something (There is no shortcut to success.)

Similar words: quick method

Common phrases: take a shortcut, use a shortcut, shortcut to success