Definition

A type of fat, like butter or lard, used in baking to make pastries and cakes light and flaky.

Example

She added shortening to the dough to make the cookies softer.

Conversation

Have you ever tried using shortening in your baking?

Yeah, I used it for my cookies last week, and they turned out amazing!

I heard it makes them really soft and chewy.

Exactly! It really helps with the texture.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Shortening → It is formed from "short" (from Old English *sceort*, meaning not long) and "-ening" (a suffix indicating the process of making or becoming). The word "shortening" refers to the process of making something shorter or reducing its length.

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'short' meaning not long, and the '-ening' suffix indicating a process. This helps you remember that 'shortening' means the process of making something shorter.

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