verb

curtail

/kɜːˈteɪl/ · say it: ker·TAYL

to reduce or restrict

In Actions & Behavior

In more detail

1. (verb) to reduce something or make it shorter

2. (verb) to restrict or limit something

Examples

1. The government decided to curtail public spending.
2. New safety rules curtailed the workers' freedom on the job site.

How to use curtail

Curtail means to reduce or restrict something, often by cutting it short or limiting its scope. It carries a sense of deliberate reduction and is more formal than simple alternatives like 'cut' or 'limit'. It is commonly used in formal, institutional, or policy contexts where restrictions or reductions are being imposed.

Common phrases

curtail spending
curtail freedom
curtail rights
curtail production
curtail access

Synonyms

reduce · cut short · limit · restrict · shorten

Opposites

extend · expand · prolong

Word family

curtailment (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse 'curtail' with 'curtsy' (the gesture) or misspell it as 'curtale'; also, some treat it as an uncountable verb when it requires a direct object (you curtail something, not just curtail).

Learn it for good

Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.

Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD