lengthen Hear it!

lengthen Definition

lengthen (leŋkt̸hən, leŋ-)

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to make or become longer

lengthen Related Forms

length·ener noun

lengthen Synonyms

lengthen

v.

  1. To make longer

    extend, stretch, reach, elongate, protract, prolongate, prolong, distend, dilate, amplify, draw out, expand, augment, proceed, continue, string out*, let out*; see also increase 1.

    Antonyms decrease*, contract*, draw in.

  2. To grow longer

    produce, increase, expand; see grow 1. See syn. study at extend.

lengthen Usage Examples

Object

  • lifespan: This procedure has been shown to lengthen the lifespan of such cells, possibly to immortality, without grossly affecting their observable phenotype.
  • shadow: As the shadows lengthened, they settled down to sleep after a long day's running.
  • duration: Exfoliation will remove dead skin that would otherwise flake off and helps to promote even coverage and lengthen the duration of your tan.
  • spine: When releasing lengthen the spine as you lift up.
  • rally: And you do not win against Natalie Grinham by lengthening the rallies, she loves it too much, running!
  • span: The study builds on previous research that used antioxidants to lengthen the life span of nematode worms.

Subject

foot: She was cut just forward of the funnel and lengthened by 36 feet.

Modifying Another Word

  • considerably: The time it takes for lenders to give buyers a mortgage quote has also lengthened considerably.
  • gradually: The fifth movement is a jig or waltz where the phrase lengths are, unlike the first movement, gradually lengthened.
  • slightly: NB - To be slightly lengthened with an introduction for future general audience showing.
  • significantly: First of all, the wording has been significantly lengthened, in order to remove ambiguities.
  • slowly: The flowers appear first at about 6-8 " , followed by narrow leaves which slowly lengthen to about 12 " .
  • greatly: This has greatly lengthened the time required to identify issues within draft policies.

Infinitive complement

accommodate: The platforms should also be lengthened to accommodate 12 car trains.

Present participle complement

wait: We do not plan to miss government targets by lengthening waiting lists for surgery.

Preposition: in

order: This lead must be lengthened in order to stretch round to the AC socket.

Preposition: of

  • platform: In some cases lengthening of the platform may not be feasible even in the long-term.
  • bone: That was the start of it, a smooth stretch of muscle, a lengthening of bone.
  • time: Significantly for the profession, this meant a lengthening of the time that women, married or not, spent in paid work.

Preposition: by

foot: She was cut just forward of the funnel and lengthened by 36 feet.

Browse dictionary entries near lengthen

  1. -length
  2. length
  3. lender of last resort
  4. lender
  5. lend oneself to
  6. lend-lease
  7. lend itself to
  8. lend a hand
  9. lend
  10. Lenape
  1. lengthwise
  2. lengthy
  3. Leni-Lenape
  4. leniency
  5. lenient
  6. Lenin
  7. Lenin Peak
  8. Leninakan
  9. Leningrad
  10. Leninism