length
lehngth
Length (noun) means the measurement of something from one end to the other, along its longest side. Example: “Measure the length of the garden before you order the fencing.”
noun
1
The measurement of something from one end to the other, along its longest side.
"Measure the length of the garden before you order the fencing."
"The length of the swimming pool is fifty metres."
"They measured the length of the table before buying a tablecloth."
2
How long something lasts in time.
"The length of the journey made the children restless in the back seat."
"The length of the meeting surprised everyone — it ran for three hours."
"Reviewers praised the film despite its length."
3
A piece or section of something long, such as rope, fabric, or pipe.
"We needed a length of pipe to fix the leaking tap."
"He cut a length of rope to tie down the tarpaulin."
"She bought a length of fabric to make curtains."
How to use length
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow long something is, whether that's physical distance, time, or a cut piece of material.
Memory tip
The phrase "at length" means either "in great detail" or "eventually" — the meaning depends on context, so watch for it.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
full length
at length
a length of rope
go to great lengths
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like length.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- lengths
- Third person singular
- lengths
- Past tense
- lengthed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Measure the _____ of the garden before you order the fencing.
Etymology
From Old English lengþu, built from "long" plus a suffix used to form abstract nouns — the same pattern that turns "strong" into "strength."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for length
See all rhymes for length →Frequently asked questions
What does “length” mean?
The word “length” means the measurement of something from one end to the other, along its longest side. In plain terms, how long something is, whether that's physical distance, time, or a cut piece of material.
How do you pronounce “length”?
“Length” is pronounced lehngth (/lɛŋ(k)θ/ in IPA).
How do you use “length” in a sentence?
Here is “length” used in a sentence: “The length of the swimming pool is fifty metres.”
What is another word for “length”?
Words with a similar meaning to “length” include lengthiness, longitude and longness.
What is the opposite of “length”?
The opposite of “length” — its antonyms — is width.
What part of speech is “length”?
“Length” is a noun.
Where does the word “length” come from?
The word “length” comes from Old English. From Old English lengþu, built from "long" plus a suffix used to form abstract nouns — the same pattern that turns "strong" into "strength.".
Is “length” a common word?
“Length” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between length and width?
Length is the measurement of something along its longest side, from one end to the other. Width, sometimes called breadth, is the measurement across the shorter side. In simple terms, length tells you how long something is, while width tells you how wide it is across.
What is the difference between length and height?
Length is usually the longest horizontal measurement, taken end to end. Height is the vertical measurement, from bottom to top. For an object lying flat you tend to speak of its length, but once the same object stands upright, that dimension is often described instead as its height.
What units are used to measure length?
In the metric system, length is measured in millimetres, centimetres, metres, and kilometres. The imperial system uses inches, feet, yards, and miles. Which unit you choose depends on scale, from millimetres for tiny objects to metres for rooms and kilometres or miles for long distances.
How do you measure the length of an object?
You measure length by lining up a ruler, tape measure, or similar tool with the object's longest side, reading from one end to the other. For very long or awkward distances, people use measuring wheels, laser distance meters, or GPS-based tools to get an accurate figure quickly.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include length:
