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¹long

adjective \ˈlȯŋ\

: extending a great distance from one end to the other end : not short

: extending a specified distance : having a specified length

: lasting or continuing for a great amount of time

lon·ger \ˈlȯŋ-gər also -ər\ lon·gest \ˈlȯŋ-gəst also -əst\

Full Definition of LONG

a : extending for a considerable distance

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>

a : having a specified length <six feet long>

b : forming the chief linear dimension <the long side of the room>

a : 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>

a : 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

a 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

: having the capacity to reach, extend, or travel a considerable distance <a long left jab> <tried to hit the long ball>

: larger or longer than the standard <a long count by the referee>

a : 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>

: possessing a high degree or a great deal of something specified : strong <long on common sense>

a : 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>

: subject to great odds

: 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·ness \ˈlȯŋ-nəs\ noun

— long in the tooth

: past one's best days : old

— not long for

: having little time left to do or enjoy something

See long defined for English-language learners

See long defined for kids

Origin of LONG

Middle English long, lang, from Old English; akin to Old High German lang long, Latin longus

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to LONG

Synonyms: elongate (or elongated), extended, king-size (or king-sized), lengthy

Antonyms: brief, curt, short, shortish

Rhymes with LONG

bong, dong, gong, prong, song, strong, thong, throng, tong, wrong

²long

adverb

: for or during a long time : for many years, days, hours, etc.

: for a specified period of time

: at a time far before or after a specified moment or event

Full Definition of LONG

: for or during a long time <long a popular hangout>

: at or to a long distance : far <long-traveled>

: for the duration of a specified period <month-long> <all summer long>

: at a point of time far before or after a specified moment or event <was excited long before the big day>

: after or beyond a specified or implied time <didn't stay longer than midnight>

: for a considerable distance <threw the ball long>

: in or into a long position (as on a market)

See long defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of LONG

before 12th century

³long

noun

Definition of LONG

: a long period of time

: a long syllable

: one taking a long position especially in a security or commodity market

a plural : long trousers

b : a size in clothing for tall men

— the long and short or the long and the short

: gist

See long defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of LONG

before 12th century

Related to LONG

Synonyms: aeon (or eon), blue moon, coon's age, cycle, donkey's years [chiefly British], eternity, forever, age, months, moon

⁴long

verb

longedlong·ing \ˈlȯŋ-iŋ\

Definition of LONG

intransitive verb

: to feel a strong desire or craving especially for something not likely to be attained <they long for peace> <longing to return home>

— long·er \ˈlȯŋ-ər\ noun

Origin of LONG

Middle English, from Old English langian; akin to Old High German langēn to long, Old English lang long

First Known Use: before 12th century

Synonym Discussion of LONG

long, yearn, hanker, pine, hunger, thirst mean to have a strong desire for something. long implies a wishing with one's whole heart and often a striving to attain <longed for some rest>. yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing <yearned for a stage career>. hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire <always hankering for money>. pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible <pined for a lost love>. hunger and thirst imply an insistent or impatient craving or a compelling need <hungered for a business of his own> <thirsted for power>.