# shortcut

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈʃɔːtkʌt/ · frequency rank #18,429

## Definitions
1. A path between two points that is faster than the commonly used paths.
2. A method to accomplish something that omits one or more steps.
3. A file that points to the location of another file and serves as a quick way to access it.
4. Ellipsis of keyboard shortcut.

## Etymology
From short + cut.

## Easily confused with
- **shortest** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shortcut-vs-shortest)
- **shoutout** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shortcut-vs-shoutout)
- **shortcuts** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shortcut-vs-shortcuts)
- **shootout** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shootout-vs-shortcut)

## Common misspellings (13)
`hsortcut`, `shhortcut`, `shorctut`, `shorrtcut`, `shortccut`, `shortctu`, `shortcutt`, `shorttcut`, `shortuct`, `shotrcut`, `shrotcut`, `sohrtcut`, `sshortcut`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/shortcut