lengthy

adjective

ˈleŋ(k)-thē 

ˈlen(t)-

lengthier; lengthiest

1

: protracted excessively : overlong

2

: extended, long

lengthily

ˈleŋ(k)-thə-lē 

ˈlen(t)-

adverb

lengthiness

ˈleŋ(k)-thē-nəs 

ˈlen(t)-

noun

Synonyms of lengthy

• long
• elongate

Examples of lengthy in a Sentence

The process is both lengthy and costly.

a series of lengthy delays

Lengthier trips require more planning.

Recent Examples on the Web

The senior Iranian official said the country has been rebuilding its military capabilities since the most intense period of the war ended in April and has enough missiles for a lengthy conflict. — Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026

When Ryan Day became Ohio State’s head coach in 2019, his job responsibilities were lengthy. — Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Even advanced hospital systems have had to undergo lengthy, tedious reorganizations to prepare for the technology. — Daniel Payne, STAT, 10 Sep. 2026

Traffic continues to flow but has been squeezed into fewer lanes on a newer part of the span, leading to lengthy commute times. — Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1689, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

lengthy

adjective

ˈleŋ(k)-thē 

ˈlen(t)-

lengthier; lengthiest

: very long

lengthily

-thə-lē 

adverb

lengthiness

-thē-nəs 

noun