abréger

shorten, abbreviate

verb ah-breh-ZHEH Rare

Origin: Late Latin 'abbreviare' (to make brief)

Usage Note

Abréger has a spelling change: the é becomes è before a silent ending (il abrège, nous abrégeons) — a typical -ger + accent verb pattern. The noun is l'abréviation (abbreviation). Pour abréger is a set phrase meaning 'to cut a long story short'. It can also mean to end something sooner than planned.

Examples

"Peux-tu abréger ton discours?"

Natural Translation

Can you shorten your speech?

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