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

The overlay panel lent dimension to the streamlined shape, while the body-skimming silhouette beneath was flatteringly elongating. — Edward Barsamian, Vogue, "Amal Clooney Takes a Page from Meghan Markle’s Royal Wardrobe Playbook," 28 Sep. 2018 Katie Holmes ear-grazing cut looks especially amazing paired with a bold side part, which elongates her face and neck. — Kaleigh Fasanella, Allure, "49 Classic Haircuts That Look Amazing at Any Age," 8 July 2018 Narrow and ending at a rounded point, this shape elongates your hands and makes them look more slender. — Blake Bakkila, Good Housekeeping, "The Easy Way to Figure Out Which Nail Shape Looks Best on You," 10 Jan. 2019 For one, Parker styled them with ultra-cool accessories including a matchy-matchy gray sweater, nude, leg-elongating ankle boots, mirror shades, and a ribbon fedora. — Lauren Valenti, Marie Claire, "The Fashionable Way to Wear Sweatpants," 1 May 2015 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

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.