elongate

verb

elon·gate | \i-ˈlȯŋ-ˌgāt,

(ˌ)ē-, ˈē-ˌlȯŋ-\

elongated; elongating

Definition of elongate

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

: to extend the length of

intransitive verb

: to grow in length

elongate

adjective

\i-ˈlȯŋ-ˌgā-təd,

(ˌ)ē-, ˈē-ˌlȯŋ-\

variants: or elongated

Definition of elongate (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : stretched out

2 : slender

Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about elongate

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Synonyms & Antonyms for elongate

Synonyms: Verb

drag (out), draw out, extend, lengthen, outstretch, prolong, protract, stretch

Synonyms: Adjective

extended, king-size (or king-sized), lengthy, long

Antonyms: Verb

abbreviate, abridge, curtail, cut, cut back, shorten

Antonyms: Adjective

brief, curt, short, shortish

Examples of elongate in a Sentence

Verb

These stretching exercises can help elongate your leg muscles. New medical procedures have elongated the careers of many athletes.

Adjective

the giraffe's elongate neck is thought to be the result of natural selection

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Gay elongates each of these episodes, however transient or absurd, lavishly appointing them with supple, ornate prose. — Sam Sacks, WSJ, "Revitalizing the Southern Gothic Style," 19 July 2018 Elevate Your Curtains – Doing so will also elongate your ceilings, a major selling point. — Lindsey Desimone, ELLE Decor, "7 Free Ways To Stage Your Home Like A Pro," 17 Sep. 2015 Today’s ensemble took a different tack; the fluid top was cinched with a simple belt to enhance and elongate the lines of her look. — Edward Barsamian, Vogue, "Queen Rania of Jordan Steps Out in Spring’s Trickiest Trouser," 21 May 2018 Showings of well-tended skin, beginning with a plunging neckline and finishing in a leg reveal replete with strappy, stem-elongating sandals, conspired to achieve a summer's-nearly-here feel. — Calin Van Paris, Vogue, "Thandie Newton Puts a Springtime Spin on Femme Fatale Beauty," 14 June 2018 This staging’s Grail appears to be a kind of fountain of youth, grotesquely elongating the lives of the men who worship it for that reason. — Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, "Review: A Conductor Sets Munich’s Ashen ‘Parsifal’ Aflame," 1 July 2018 The simple white tee and fluid ankle-grazing trousers had an effortless, elongating effect, while coordinated Alexander McQueen sneakers fashionably grounded the look. — Edward Barsamian, Vogue, "Gwyneth Paltrow’s Army Jacket Also Has a Message," 27 June 2018 The piece was simultaneously fluid and body-skimming, thanks to a waist-defining panel and elongating asymmetric hem. — Edward Barsamian, Vogue, "Sarah Jessica Parker Has a Carrie Bradshaw Moment in the City," 13 June 2018 Keep your hips forward-facing and spine elongated throughout this entire exercise. — Philly.com, "A beginner's guide to starting a yoga practice," 10 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'elongate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.