long

long · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Measuring a great distance from end to end.

  2. 2.

    Lasting a great amount of time.

  3. 3.

    (Of a vowel) pronounced with greater duration.

  4. 4.

    For a long time.

  5. 5.

    Have a strong wish or desire for something.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    long time no see — A greeting after not seeing someone for a while.
  • •
    in the long run — Eventually; over time.
  • •
    long story short — Summarizing briefly.
  • •
    long shot — Something unlikely to succeed.
  • •
    go a long way — Make significant progress; be very useful.
  • •
    as long as — Provided that; on condition that.
  • •
    before long — Soon.
  • •
    so long — Goodbye.
  • •
    long face — An unhappy expression.
  • •
    long in the tooth — Old; elderly.

Related words

Antonyms: brief, short
See also: length, longer, longest, longing, short
Synonyms: extended, lengthy, prolonged

Etymology

From Old English lang, long ("long"), from Proto-Germanic langaz. Related to German lang, Dutch lang, and Latin longus. The verb sense ("to yearn") developed from the adjective through Old English langian.