The meaning of CURTAIL is to make less by or as if by cutting off or away some part. How to use curtail in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Curtail.

CURTAIL definition: 1. to stop something before it is finished, or to reduce or limit something: 2. to stop something…. Learn more.

curtail in American English (kərˈteil) transitive verb to cut short; cut off a part of; abridge; reduce; diminish

Definition of curtail verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

We have to severely/drastically curtail [= cut back] our expenses. School activities are being curtailed due to a lack of funds.

curtail (kɜːˈteɪl) vb (tr) to cut short; abridge [C16: changed (through influence of tail 1) from obsolete curtal to dock; see curtal]

curtail meaning, definition, what is curtail: to reduce or limit something: Learn more.

Jan 3, 2026 · (transitive, obsolete) To cut short the tail of (an animal). Curtailing horses procured long horse-hair. When the audience grew restless, the speaker curtailed her speech.

To curtail something is to slow it down, put restrictions on it, or stop it entirely. If I give up cake, I am curtailing my cake-eating.

CURTAIL definition: to cut short; cut off a part of; abridge; reduce; diminish. See examples of curtail used in a sentence.