Main Entry: ¹long

Pronunciation: \ˈlȯŋ\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): lon·ger \ˈlȯŋ-gər also -ər\; lon·gest \ˈlȯŋ-gəst also -əst\

Etymology: Middle English long, lang, from Old English; akin to Old High German lang long, Latin longus

Date: before 12th century

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