long
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1long
adjective \ˈlȯŋ\lon·ger \ˈlȯŋ-gər also -ər\ lon·gest \ˈlȯŋ-gəst also -əst\
Definition of LONG
1
a : extending for a considerable distance b : having greater length than usual <a long corridor> c : having greater height than usual : tall d : having a greater length than breadth : elongated e : having a greater length than desirable or necessary <the column is one line too long> f : full-length <long pants>
2
a : having a specified length <six feet long> b : forming the chief linear dimension <the long side of the room>
3
a : extending over a considerable time <a long friendship> b : having a specified duration <two hours long> c : prolonged beyond the usual time <a long look> d : lasting too long : tedious <a long explanation>
4
a : containing many items in a series <a long list> b : having a specified number of units <300 pages long> c : consisting of a greater number or amount than usual : large
5
a of a speech sound : having a relatively long duration b : being the member of a pair of similarly spelled vowel or vowel-containing sounds that is descended from a vowel long in duration <long a in fate> <long i in sign> c of a syllable in prosody (1) : of relatively extended duration (2) : bearing a stress or accent
6
: having the capacity to reach, extend, or travel a considerable distance <a long left jab> <tried to hit the long ball>
7
: larger or longer than the standard <a long count by the referee>
8
a : extending far into the future <the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts — H. W. Longfellow> b : extending beyond what is known <a long guess> c : payable after a considerable period <a long note>
9
: possessing a high degree or a great deal of something specified : strong <long on common sense>
10
a : of an unusual degree of difference between the amounts wagered on each side <long odds> b : of or relating to the larger amount wagered <take the long end of the bet>
11
: subject to great odds
12
: owning or accumulating securities or goods especially in anticipation of an advance in prices <they are now long on wheat> <take a long position in steel>
— long·ness \ˈlȯŋ-nəs\ noun
— long in the tooth
: past one's best days : old
— not long for
: having little time left to do or enjoy something
See Examples of LONG
- The bridge is the longest in the world.
- We drove a long distance.
- the long side of the building
- The whale was 50 feet long.
- “How long was the race?” “The race was five miles long.”
- They've had a long and happy marriage.
- She finds it hard to sit still for long periods of time.
- The company has a long tradition of serving its customers well.
- A day is 24 hours long.
- The team has had a long streak of wins.
Origin of LONG
Middle English long, lang, from Old English; akin to Old High German lang long, Latin longus
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to LONG
2long
adverbDefinition of LONG
1
: for or during a long time <long a popular hangout>
2
: at or to a long distance : far <long-traveled>
3
: for the duration of a specified period <month-long> <all summer long>
4
: at a point of time far before or after a specified moment or event <was excited long before the big day>
5
: after or beyond a specified or implied time <didn't stay longer than midnight>
6
: for a considerable distance <threw the ball long>
7
: in or into a long position (as on a market)
Examples of LONG
- The extra food she brought did not last long.
- They'll have to wait a bit longer.
- The mall has long been a popular hangout for teenagers.
- They have long been devoted friends.
- It's been so long since we've seen each other.
- It's been much too long since we've seen each other.
- That meeting was way too long.
- We had to leave long before we were ready to go.
- We talked all night long.
- events that occurred long before the discovery of America
First Known Use of LONG
before 12th century
3long
nounDefinition of LONG
1
: a long period of time
2
: a long syllable
3
: one taking a long position especially in a security or commodity market
4
a plural : long trousers b : a size in clothing for tall men
— the long and short or the long and the short
: gist
Examples of LONG
- <they should be here before long>
First Known Use of LONG
before 12th century
4long
intransitive verblongedlong·ing \ˈlȯŋ-iŋ\
Definition of LONG
: to feel a strong desire or craving especially for something not likely to be attained <they long for peace> <longing to return home>
— long·er \ˈlȯŋ-ər\ noun
Origin of LONG
Middle English, from Old English langian; akin to Old High German langēn to long, Old English lang long
First Known Use: before 12th century
Synonym Discussion of LONG
long, yearn, hanker, pine, hunger, thirst mean to have a strong desire for something. long implies a wishing with one's whole heart and often a striving to attain <longed for some rest>. yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing <yearned for a stage career>. hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire <always hankering for money>. pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible <pined for a lost love>. hunger and thirst imply an insistent or impatient craving or a compelling need <hungered for a business of his own> <thirsted for power>.
5long
intransitive verbDefinition of LONG
archaic : to be suitable or fitting
Origin of LONG
Middle English, from along (on) because (of)
First Known Use: 13th century
6long
abbreviationDefinition of LONG
Long
biographical name \ˈlȯŋ\Definition of LONG
Crawford Williamson 1815–1878 Am. surgeon
Long
biographical nameDefinition of LONG
Hu*ey \ˈhyü-ē\ Pierce 1893–1935 Am. polit.
Long
biographical nameDefinition of LONG
Stephen Harriman 1784–1864 Am. army officer & explorer
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