Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » long

long

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of long is an extended distance or an extended period of time.

(adjective)

An example of long is a 100 mile road.
An example of long is a 4-hour movie.

See long in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

measuring much from end to end in space or from beginning to end in time; not short or brief
measured from end to end rather than from side to side: the long dimension
of a specified extent in length: a foot long
of greater than usual or standard length, height, quantity, etc.: a long game, a long window, a long ton
containing many items or members: said of a series, list, etc.
overextended in length
taking too much time; tedious; slow
extending to what is distant in space or time; far-reaching: a long view of the matter
large; big: the long odds of 100 to 1, to take a long chance
having an abundance of: with of or on: long on excuses
☆ Finance holding a commodity or security in anticipation of a rise in price
1. Phonet. lasting for a relatively long time: said of a speech sound
2. popularly diphthongized: the long a in “pain”
Prosody
1. requiring a relatively long time to pronounce: said of syllables in quantitative verse
2. stressed: said of syllables in accentual verse

Origin: ME < OE, akin to Ger lang < Gmc *lango- > ON langr, Goth laggs: ? akin to L longus

adverb

for a long time
for the duration of; from the beginning to the end: all day long
at a much earlier or a much later time than the time indicated; remotely: to stay long after midnight

noun

a variation of clothing size longer than the average for that size
long pants
a signal, syllable, etc. of long duration
a long time: it won't take long to finish the work

intransitive verb

to feel a strong yearning; wish earnestly: to long to go home, to long for affection

Origin: ME longen < OE langian (akin to Ger langen, to reach, extend) < base of lang: see long

intransitive verb

Archaic to be fitting or appropriate

Origin: ME longen < OE langian, to belong

longitude

Long, Huey (Pierce) 1893-1935; U.S. political leader: assassinated

called (the) Kingfish

See long in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective long·er, long·est

a. Extending or traveling a relatively great distance.
b. Having relatively great height; tall.
c. Having the greater length of two or the greatest length of several: the long edge of the door.
Of relatively great duration: a long time.
Of a specified linear extent or duration: a mile long; an hour long.
Made up of many members or items: a long shopping list.
a. Extending beyond an average or standard: a long game.
b. Extending or landing beyond a given boundary, limit, or goal: Her first serve was long.
Tediously protracted; lengthy: a long speech.
Concerned with distant issues; far-reaching: took a long view of the geopolitical issues.
Involving substantial chance; risky: long odds.
Having an abundance or excess of: “politicians whose résumés are long on competence” (Margaret Garrard Warner).
Having a holding of a commodity or security in expectation of a rise in price: long on soybeans.
a. Linguistics Having a comparatively great duration. Used of a vowel or consonant.
b. Grammar Of, relating to, or being the English speech sounds (ā, ē, ī, ō, o͞o) that are tense vowels or diphthongs.
a. Stressed or accented. Used of a syllable in accentual prosody.
b. Being of relatively great duration. Used of a syllable in quantitative prosody.

adverb longer, longest

During or for an extended period of time: The promotion was long due.
At or to a considerable distance; far: She walked long past the end of the trail.
Beyond a given boundary, limit, or goal: hit the return long.
For or throughout a specified period: They talked all night long.
At a point of time distant from that referred to: That event took place long before we were born.
Into or in a long position, as of a commodity market.

noun

A long time: This won't take long.
Linguistics A long syllable, vowel, or consonant.
One who acquires holdings in a security or commodity in expectation of a rise in price.
a. A garment size for a tall person.
b. longs Trousers extending to the feet or ankles.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English lang; see del-¹ in Indo-European roots

intransitive verb longed longed, long·ing, longs

To have an earnest, heartfelt desire, especially for something beyond reach.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English longen

Origin: , from Old English langian; see del-¹ in Indo-European roots

American politician. As a populist but dictatorial governor of Louisiana (1928-1931), he instituted major public works legislation, and as a U.S. Senator (1932-1935) he proposed a national Share-The-Wealth program.

abbreviation

longitude

Learn more about long

long synonyms

long business definition

long computer definition

long investment & finance

Long medical definition

long phrase meanings

long in a sentence

long quotes

link/cite print suggestion box