long-lasting

American  

[lawng-las-ting, -lah-sting, long-] / ˈlɔŋˈlæs tɪŋ, -ˈlɑ stɪŋ, ˈlɒŋ- /

adjective

1. enduring or existing for a long period of time.

   a long-lasting friendship.

2. effective for a relatively long period of time.

   a long-lasting pain reliever.

3. resisting the effects of wear or use over a long period.

   a long-lasting fabric used for work clothes.

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Etymology

Origin of long-lasting

First recorded in 1520–30

Explanation

Long-lasting things stick around for a while. If the medicine you're taking for your sore throat has long-lasting side effects, they'll affect you for many weeks or even months. A long-lasting relationship lasts for years, and long-lasting makeup stays on your face all day, until you wash it off at night. This adjective can mean that something is durable or resilient, or in other words that it holds up over time. Other things are simply long-lasting by coincidence — they've just been there for a long time.

Example Sentences

Morgan strategists said they did not expect most attacks to cause long-lasting disruptions, though some facilities will face lengthy repair timelines — and at least eight assets appeared to be severely damaged.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

The findings, published in JAMA, point to a long-lasting treatment option that could improve how hypertension is managed.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

Merz warned the war's effects were likely to be long-lasting.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

But there is less optimism over how much this will feed through to people's finances, with fears long-lasting damage has already been set in motion.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Bronden said that later the stems could be bound together to make long-lasting torches to replace the ones that had been lost when Ellis fled.

From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda

Related Words

• abiding
• durable