longer
3 synonyms for longer, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — The comparative form of "long"; extending further in distance or time.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
lengthier
more extended
more drawn-out
How to use longer
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
no longer
a longer wait
even longer
Etymology
This word came from Middle English longer, longere, a normalisation of the Middle English lenger, lengere ("longer"), from Old English lengra ("longer"), from Proto-Germanic *langizô ("longer"), the comparative of Proto-Germanic *langaz ("long"); it is equivalent to long + -er. It is cognate with Saterland Frisian laan...
Full origin of longer →Frequently asked questions
What does “longer” mean?
The word “longer” means the comparative form of "long"; extending further in distance or time. In plain terms, more long — used to compare distances or durations.
How do you pronounce “longer”?
“Longer” is pronounced LONG-uh (/ˈlɔŋ.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “longer” in a sentence?
Here is “longer” used in a sentence: “This route is longer but has much better views.”
What part of speech is “longer”?
“Longer” is an adjective.
Is “longer” a common word?
“Longer” is a very common word in modern English.
What is the difference between 'long' and 'longer'?
'Long' is the base adjective, describing something with great length in distance or time. 'Longer' is its comparative form, used to compare two things — one extends further than the other. A road can be long, but a second road can be longer still. Use 'longer' whenever you are measuring one thing against another.
Is it correct to say 'more long' instead of 'longer'?
No. Because 'long' is a short, one-syllable adjective, its comparative is formed by adding -er, giving 'longer.' Saying 'more long' is ungrammatical in standard English. The rule holds for most short adjectives — 'taller,' not 'more tall.' Only longer adjectives, such as 'beautiful,' take 'more' to form the comparative.
What is the opposite of longer?
The opposite of longer is shorter, the comparative of 'short.' Where 'longer' means extending further in distance or time, 'shorter' means extending less. A shorter route covers less ground; a shorter meeting takes less time. The two comparatives are used the same way, simply pointing in opposite directions.
