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

Jalloh’s lengthy criminal history includes more than 30 arrests for charges of rape, assault, drug possession, property destruction, identity theft, trespassing, firing a weapon, grand larceny, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and pickpocketing. —Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 9 Mar. 2026

Courts are deliberative places, where there are briefing schedules and hundreds of pages of evidentiary documents and lengthy rulings citing hundreds of years of case law. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026

There were either standing companies or lengthy tours in Spain, Germany, The Netherlands, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Denmark, Italy and Australia, many of them happening in the last three or four years. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2026

Back in January, Brooklyn shared a lengthy statement regarding his relationship with his family. —Meg Walters, InStyle, 7 Mar. 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