kɜːˈteɪl kɚˈteɪl tɹʌŋˈkeɪt ˈtɹʌŋˌkeɪt terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end or its full extent My speech was cut short Personal freedom is curtailed in many countries make shorter as if by cutting off truncate a word Erosion has truncated the ridges of the mountains interrupt before its natural or planned end We had to cut short our vacation cause to end earlier than intended The spontaneous applause cut the singer short