Definition of long
(Entry 1 of 9)
1a
: extending for a considerable distance
a long coastline
b
: having greater length than usual
a long corridor
c
: having greater height than usual : tall
d
: having a greater length than breadth : elongated
e
: having a greater length than desirable or necessary
the column is one line too long
f
: full-length
long pants
2a
: having a specified length
six feet long
b
: forming the chief linear dimension
the long side of the room
3a
: extending over a considerable time
a long friendship
b
: having a specified duration
two hours long
c
: prolonged beyond the usual time
a long look
d
: lasting too long : tedious
a long explanation
4a
: containing many items in a series
a long list
b
: having a specified number of units
300 pages long
c
: consisting of a greater number or amount than usual : large
was married, and had a long family— A. T. Quiller-Couch
5a
of a speech sound
: having a relatively long duration
b
: being the member of a pair of similarly spelled vowel or vowel-containing sounds that is descended from a vowel long in duration
long a in fate long i in sign
c
of a syllable in prosody
(1)
: of relatively extended duration
(2)
: bearing a stress or accent
a long syllable
6
: having the capacity to reach, extend, or travel a considerable distance
a long left jab tried to hit the long ball
7
: larger or longer than the standard
a long count by the referee
8a
: extending far into the future
the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts— H. W. Longfellow
b
: extending beyond what is known
a long guess
c
: payable after a considerable period
a long note
9
: possessing a high degree or a great deal of something specified : strong
long on common sense
10a
: of an unusual degree of difference between the amounts wagered on each side
long odds
b
: of or relating to the larger amount wagered
take the long end of the bet
11
: subject to great odds
take a long chance for a large reward— W. P. Webb
12
: owning or accumulating securities or goods especially in anticipation of an advance in prices
they are now long on wheat take a long position in steel
long in the tooth
not long for
: past one's best days : old
She'a a little long in the tooth for those kinds of antics.
: having little time left to do or enjoy something
His grandfather is not long for this world.
long
adverbDefinition of long (Entry 2 of 9)
1
: for or during a long time
long a popular hangout
2
: at or to a long distance : far
long-traveled
3
: for the duration of a specified period
month-long all summer long
4
: at a point of time far before or after a specified moment or event
was excited long before the big day
5
: after or beyond a specified or implied time
didn't stay longer than midnight
6
: for a considerable distance
threw the ball long
7
: in or into a long position (as on a market)
long
nounDefinition of long (Entry 3 of 9)
1
: a long period of time
2
: a long syllable
3
: one taking a long position especially in a security or commodity market
4a
longs plural
: long trousers
b
: a size in clothing for tall men
long
verb (1)Definition of long (Entry 4 of 9)
: to feel a strong desire or craving especially for something not likely to be attained
they long for peace longing to return home
long
verb (2)
longed; longing; longs
Definition of long (Entry 5 of 9)
long
abbreviationDefinition of long (Entry 6 of 9)
Long
biographical name (1)Definition of Long (Entry 7 of 9)
Crawford Williamson 1815–1878 American surgeon
Long
biographical name (2)Long
biographical name (3)Definition of Long (Entry 9 of 9)
Stephen Harriman 1784–1864 American army officer and explorer
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for long
The first known use of long was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century