English

curtail

kɚˈteɪl, kɜrˈteɪl, kɜːˈteɪl
Meaning: to reduce in extent or quantity; to impose a restriction on
Part of Speech: Verb Alternative Readings: kɜrˈteɪl, kɜːˈteɪl

Listen to pronunciation

Show inflections Hide inflections

Verb inflections

Form Inflected form
Base curtail
3rd person singular present curtails
Present participle curtailing
Past curtailed
Will future will curtail
Going-to future going to curtail
Imperative negative don't curtail / do not curtail

Example

The government had to curtail public spending to reduce the deficit.
The government had to curtail public spending to reduce the deficit.

Usage Notes

A formal word used when something is limited, shortened, or restricted, often applied to rights, spending, or activities.

Sottaku

About Sottaku

Sottaku is an app for learning Chinese, Japanese, Korean, English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian with a strong focus on SRS. It includes automatic flashcard creation for hundreds of thousands of words, grammar breakdowns in example sentences, language-specific study packs where available, adaptive quizzes, mobile apps, a browser extension, and community features. Give it a try now! All learning content is free with no limits on flashcards or study time.

Sottaku is built to match the habits of successful learners. By using Sottaku, you will naturally learn in the most efficient way possible, as proven by countless success stories in the language learning community.

Free Forever

Access all grammar guides, quizzes, and flashcards without paying a cent. Quality education should be accessible to everyone.

Smart SRS System

Our flashcard system uses the FSRS algorithm (also used in Anki) to optimize your review schedule and maximize retention.

Comprehensive Content

From hanzi, kana, hangul, and European vocabulary basics to grammar and reading practice where available, we have lessons for every level. Practice with quizzes tailored to your skill.

Community Chat

Ask level-appropriate questions and get help from the community. Learn together with fellow learners across all 8 supported languages.