shortchange

[ shawrt-cheynj ]
See synonyms for: shortchangeshortchanged on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),short·changed, short·chang·ing.
  1. to give less than the correct change to.

  2. to deal with unfairly or dishonestly, especially to cheat.

Origin of shortchange

1
An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

Other words from shortchange

  • shortchanger, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use shortchange in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for short-change

short-change

verb(tr)
  1. to give less than correct change to

  2. slang to treat unfairly or dishonestly, esp by giving less than is deserved or expected

Derived forms of short-change

  • short-changer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012