lengthen
LEHNG-thuhn
Lengthen (verb) means to make something longer, or to become longer. Example: “The tailor lengthened the trousers by two inches.”
verb
1
To make something longer, or to become longer.
"The platforms of all stations from Shepherds Bush to Liverpool Street have been lengthened from 325 ft. to 427 ft. between tunnel headwalls, to take longer trains."
— , Central London Railway Jubilee (1950)
"The tailor lengthened the trousers by two inches."
"The days lengthen as summer approaches."
"You need to lengthen the story if you want to have it published."
"The shadows on the lawn lengthened as the sun began to set."
How to use lengthen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo extend something in length, whether that's clothing, a schedule, or the daylight hours.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
lengthen a hem
lengthen the odds
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- lengthens
- Past tense
- lengthened
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The tailor _____ the trousers by two inches.
Etymology
Formed from length and -en.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for lengthen
See all rhymes for lengthen →Frequently asked questions
What does “lengthen” mean?
The word “lengthen” means to make something longer, or to become longer. In plain terms, to extend something in length, whether that's clothing, a schedule, or the daylight hours.
How do you pronounce “lengthen”?
“Lengthen” is pronounced LEHNG-thuhn (/ˈlɛŋθən/ in IPA).
How do you use “lengthen” in a sentence?
Here is “lengthen” used in a sentence: “The tailor lengthened the trousers by two inches.”
What is another word for “lengthen”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lengthen” include elongate, draw out, enlengthen, extend, produce and prolong.
What is the opposite of “lengthen”?
The opposite of “lengthen” — its antonyms — are shorten, abbreviate, abridge, amputate and breviate.
What part of speech is “lengthen”?
“Lengthen” is a verb.
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