lengthen

American

[lengk-thuhn, leng-, len-] / ˈlɛŋk θən, ˈlɛŋ-, ˈlɛn- /

verb (used with object)

to make longer; make greater in length.

Synonyms:

elongate

Antonyms:

shorten

verb (used without object)

to become greater in length; grow long or longer.

lengthen British

/ ˈlɛŋθən, ˈlɛŋkθən /

verb

to make or become longer

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

Lengthen, extend, stretch, prolong, protract agree in the idea of making longer. To lengthen is to make longer, either in a material or an immaterial sense: to lengthen a dress. To extend is to lengthen beyond some original point or so as to reach a certain point: to extend a railway line by a hundred miles. To stretch is primarily to lengthen by drawing or tension: to stretch a rubber band. Both prolong and protract mean especially to lengthen in time, and therefore apply to intangibles. To prolong is to continue beyond the desired, estimated, or allotted time: to prolong an interview. To protract is to draw out to undue length or to be slow in coming to a conclusion: to protract a discussion.

Other Word Forms

lengthener noun
outlengthen verb (used with object)
unlengthened adjective

Etymology

Origin of lengthen

First recorded in 1490–1500; length + -en ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The complex mission would likely put American forces inside Iran for days or longer, and could lengthen the war, according to experts.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mounting bills and dwindling bank accounts are expected to force more officers to find new work, lengthening lines and wait times for travelers trying to pass through airport security during a busy spring break period.

From The Wall Street Journal

By March and April the sun is much higher in the sky and the days are lengthening, allowing more energy to be delivered and more efficiently.

From BBC

And then we would be off to the station, hand in hand, I lengthening my strides and he shortening his to keep in step.

From Literature

Factory activity in New York state contracted in March as delivery times lengthened and supply availability worsened slightly.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023