shortcut

American  

[shawrt-kuht] / ˈʃɔrtˌkʌt /

noun

1. a shorter or quicker way.

2. a method, procedure, policy, etc., that reduces the time or energy needed to accomplish something.

3. Computers.

   1. a link to a software application, file, or website, usually represented as a graphical icon that can be clicked on to quickly access or open it.

      You can create a desktop shortcut to a web page you've visited.

   2. Also called keyboard shortcut.  hotkey.

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adjective

1. constituting or providing a shorter or quicker way.

   shortcut methods.

Etymology

Origin of shortcut

First recorded in 1560–70; short + cut

Example Sentences

Displays app/URL shortcuts in the app after a successful connection — a bit of a silly “feature.”

From Salon

There’s a reason the plaintiffs bar has a reputation for taking ethical shortcuts, and too often it goes unpunished.

From The Wall Street Journal

From the parents’ perspective, they worked 40-plus years, sacrificed, saved 15% of every paycheck, and now their kids want a shortcut.

From MarketWatch

“There is no shortcut to real innovation,” Bartlett said.

From The Wall Street Journal

This isn’t the first time that someone has tried to use AI as a shortcut, with parlous consequences.

From Los Angeles Times