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Elongate is often found in scientific writing, but the adjective elongated is more common, and frequently used to describe body parts in discussions of anatomy. This was even the case when the superhero Elongated Man made his appearance back in 1960. But some other characters with the same powers—Plastic Man, Elastic Lad, and Mr. Fantastic—ended up having longer careers.
Synonyms
Examples of elongate in a Sentence
Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 12 Sep. 2023
The National Climate Assessment projected more heavy rain events and elongated dry spells with intensifying droughts in many areas of the United States.
—USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2023
Even so, our country’s asphalt limbs have mostly ceased to elongate, petrified into something like their eternal shape.
—Ben Goldfarb, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023
Going longer is better than shorter, since curtains can be shortened more easily than they can be elongated.
—Katy Spratte Joyce, ELLE Decor, 5 Sep. 2023
Russian mission control attempted to compensate by elongating Luna-24’s trajectory into an ellipse ranging from 11 to 41 miles distant from the Moon’s surface.
—Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 22 Aug. 2023
On the building's outside were a glowing marquee, stately trim and elongated ornate windows.
—The Indianapolis Star, 22 Aug. 2023
All of their bodies are elongated and partially illuminated by a lamp, which casts one half of the picture in brightness.
—M. Z. Adnan, The New Yorker, 29 July 2023
The same pattern was repeated last year, effectively elongating the holiday sales season.
—Parija Kavilanz, CNN, 16 Aug. 2023
Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 21 July 2023
This can help keep walls clear and elongate high ceilings, as exemplified in this kitchen designed by Andrea Pietragallo of Britt Design Studio.
—Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 30 Mar. 2023
The small lake sits in the slightly elongate rift area where the eruption occurred.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2011
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elongate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Verb
Late Latin elongatus, past participle of elongare to withdraw, from Latin e- + longus
Verb
1578, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Adjective
1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near elongate
Cite this Entry
“Elongate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elongate. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
elongate
1 of 2 verb
elongate
2 of 2 adjective
Medical Definition
elongate
1 of 2 verb
elongate
2 of 2 adjective
More from Merriam-Webster on elongate
Nglish: Translation of elongate for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of elongate for Arabic Speakers
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