noun
furlong
FUR-long
Furlong (noun) means a unit of distance equal to one-eighth of a mile (about 201 meters), used mainly in horse racing and farmland measurement. Example: “The final furlong of the race saw the two horses neck and neck.”
noun
1
A unit of distance equal to one-eighth of a mile (about 201 meters), used mainly in horse racing and farmland measurement.
"The final furlong of the race saw the two horses neck and neck."
How to use furlong
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA distance measurement (one-eighth of a mile) mostly kept alive today in horse racing commentary.
Common pairings
final furlong
a furlong from the finish
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Word forms
- Plural
- furlongs
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The final _____ of the race saw the two horses neck and neck.
Etymology
From Old English furlang, a compound of furh ("furrow") and lang ("long") — originally the standard length of a plowed furrow.
Frequently asked questions
What does “furlong” mean?
The word “furlong” means a unit of distance equal to one-eighth of a mile (about 201 meters), used mainly in horse racing and farmland measurement. In plain terms, a distance measurement (one-eighth of a mile) mostly kept alive today in horse racing commentary.
How do you pronounce “furlong”?
“Furlong” is pronounced FUR-long (/ˈfɝˌlɔŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “furlong” in a sentence?
Here is “furlong” used in a sentence: “The final furlong of the race saw the two horses neck and neck.”
What part of speech is “furlong”?
“Furlong” is a noun.
Where does the word “furlong” come from?
The word “furlong” comes from Old English. From Old English furlang, a compound of furh ("furrow") and lang ("long") — originally the standard length of a plowed furrow.
