Lengthy: meaning, definitions and examples
⏳
lengthy
[ˈlɛŋ(k)θi ]
Definitions
when describing something
lasting for a long time, or too long
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| lengthy |
Used to describe something that takes a great deal of time or is overly long, often implying that it may be tedious or unnecessarily extended.
|
| long |
Used in everyday conversation to describe something that has significant duration, distance, or size. It is a neutral and commonly used term.
|
| prolonged |
Often used to suggest that something has been extended beyond what is usual, typically with a slightly negative connotation. It can convey a sense of unnecessary or unwanted length.
|
| extended |
Suitable for situations where something has been prolonged or stretched out in terms of time, space, or scope, often intentionally. It usually has a neutral or formal tone.
|
Examples of usage
- The meeting was lengthy and boring.
- I hope this book isn't too lengthy.
when describing a piece of writing
having many pages or words
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| lengthy |
Used when describing something that is long in duration, often with an implication of it being tiresome or overly prolonged.
|
| long |
Generally used to describe something that has great length or duration. Neutral in tone, and can be applied to both physical and temporal contexts.
|
| prolonged |
Denotes something that has been lengthened in time, often implying it was unnecessarily or unexpectedly extended. Has a slight negative connotation.
|
| extended |
Often used to describe something that has been prolonged or made longer than originally anticipated or planned. Can be applied to time periods, vacations, meetings, etc.
|
Examples of usage
- The report was quite lengthy, but very informative.
- The essay was lengthy, but well-written.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from the Old English 'length' which meant 'long duration or measure'.
- It was first recorded in the early 15th century, highlighting its longstanding use in describing duration.
- The suffix '-y' in 'lengthy' indicates that it describes something with the quality of being long.
Literature
- Many epic poems are termed lengthy because of their substantial word count and expansive storytelling.
- Authors often face critiques about the length of their works, balancing detailed descriptions with readers’ attention spans.
- In modern literature, readers often prefer shorter narratives due to fast-paced lifestyles, making lengthy works less popular.
Psychology
- Longer tasks or narratives can lead to fatigue, influencing how individuals perceive time and engagement.
- Lengthy explanations can sometimes overwhelm the listener, leading to shorter attention spans in conversational dynamics.
- Research shows that people's perception of time can expand or contract based on the length of the information they are processing.
Pop Culture
- TV shows or movies labeled as lengthy often receive mixed reviews based on pacing, influencing viewing figures.
- In the age of binge-watching, audiences often praise series with concise storytelling over lengthy episodes.
- Long songs sometimes garner critiques in music, with artists balancing between artist expression and audience engagement.
Science
- In scientific writing, the lengthier the paper, the more it may delve into complex concepts, though brevity is often preferred.
- Lengthy experiments might lead to more robust data, but they require careful planning to maintain accuracy and efficacy.
- Studying the properties of lengthy data sets can reveal patterns that shorter sets might miss, important for researchers.
Translations
Translations of the word "lengthy" in other languages:
🇵🇹 longo
🇮🇳 लंबा
🇩🇪 lang
🇮🇩 panjang
🇺🇦 довгий
🇵🇱 długi
🇯🇵 長い (ながい, nagai)
🇫🇷 long
🇪🇸 largo
🇹🇷 uzun
🇰🇷 긴 (gin)
🇸🇦 طويل
🇨🇿 dlouhý
🇸🇰 dlhý
🇨🇳 长 (cháng)
🇸🇮 dolg
🇮🇸 langur
🇰🇿 ұзақ
🇬🇪 გრძელი
🇦🇿 uzun
🇲🇽 largo