along
uh-LONG
Along (prep) means following the length of something; from one end toward the other. Example: “They walked along the river at sunset.”
prep
1
Following the length of something; from one end toward the other.
"They walked along the river at sunset."
"Tall trees grew along both sides of the winding country lane."
"We strolled along the beach, collecting shells as we went."
adv
1
Forward, onward, or in company with someone.
"Bring your friend along to the party."
"He's been playing guitar along with the band all night."
"I'll come along if you promise we won't stay out too late."
How to use along
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFollowing the length of a path, or moving forward together with someone.
Common pairings
along the way
come along
bring along
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They walked _____ the river at sunset.
Etymology
From Old English andlang, from and- ("opposite") + lang ("long").
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “along” mean?
The word “along” means following the length of something; from one end toward the other. In plain terms, following the length of a path, or moving forward together with someone.
How do you pronounce “along”?
“Along” is pronounced uh-LONG (/əˈlɒŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “along” in a sentence?
Here is “along” used in a sentence: “They walked along the river at sunset.”
What is another word for “along”?
Words with a similar meaning to “along” include alongst and endlong.
What part of speech is “along”?
Depending on how it is used, “along” can be a preposition and an adverb.
Where does the word “along” come from?
The word “along” comes from Old English. From Old English andlang, from and- ("opposite") + lang ("long").
Is “along” a common word?
“Along” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “along” have?
“Along” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: following the length of something; from one end toward the other.
What is the difference between along and across?
"Along" follows the length of something, moving from one end toward the other, as in "walking along the river." "Across" goes from one side to the other, over the width, as in "swimming across the river." So "along" traces the long direction, while "across" cuts over the short one. They describe opposite axes.
What is an example of 'along' as a preposition?
In "they strolled along the beach," "along" links the walking to the length of the beach, showing movement from one end toward the other. Other examples include "trees grew along the road" and "drive along the coast." In each, "along" places something in line with the length of a longer object.
Is 'along' always a preposition?
No. In the given sense, "walk along the path," it is a preposition linking to a noun. But "along" is also an adverb, as in "come along" or "move along," where it simply means onward or in company, with no following noun. The word's role depends on how it is used in the sentence.
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