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 case went to the jury on Dec. 12 after a month-long trial during which around 50 witnesses testified, though deliberations hit scheduling snags that lengthened the process.

From The Wall Street Journal

But his parents refused to accept it was the end and worked tirelessly to find a treatment to improve and lengthen Lorenzo's life.

From BBC

The crude market looks oversupplied, but sanctions, the lengthening of supply routes and a tight refining system are keeping prices from adjusting as they normally would, according to the agency.

From The Wall Street Journal

Davy suggests that future research could lengthen the intervention period, include younger participants, or provide continuous access to foods to more closely mirror real-world conditions.

From Science Daily

"If we can reduce any of those risk factors, we can significantly reduce Alzheimer's cases or lengthen the amount of time until the onset of the disease."

From Science Daily

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