Longest: meaning, definitions and examples

📏
Add to dictionary

longest

 

[ˈlɔːŋgəst ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

duration measure

The term 'longest' refers to the greatest extent in time, distance, or length. It is often used to compare different lengths or durations, indicating which is the most prolonged. This term can apply to physical objects, such as the longest river or the longest road, as well as abstract concepts, like the longest wait or longest relationship. It highlights the superiority of one item regarding its length or time in comparison to others.

Synonyms

extended, long, prolonged.

Examples of usage

  • The Nile is considered the longest river in the world.
  • This was the longest meeting I've ever attended.
  • He took the longest route home to avoid traffic.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'long' comes from the Old English word 'lang', which meant 'tall' or 'far off'.
  • Adding 'est' is a superlative form in English, making it denote the extreme length in comparison to others.

Science

  • In physics, the length of an object can measure how far it extends in space, making the concept of 'long' very relative.
  • In terms of space-time, the longest journey could be understood in terms of the duration taken or the distance covered in the universe.

Literature

  • Various poems and novels explore themes of 'longing', which is such a deep and enduring emotional experience that there can be 'longest' works dedicated to this theme.
  • In storytelling, the longest tales often hold greater depth and detail, allowing for rich character development.

Pop Culture

  • In 2020, the longest-running animated show in the U.S., 'The Simpsons', surpassed over 700 episodes, showcasing longevity in television.
  • The longest music performance ever lasted over 13 hours and took place in Germany, captivating audiences with its endurance.

Cultural Aspects

  • Cultural festivals often celebrate the longest day of the year, known as the summer solstice, with various rituals and traditions.
  • In Japan, the longest recorded word, 'Tōkyō-to Shinjuku-ku Shinjuku-nan-chōme', showcases the beauty of complexity in language.

Translations

Translations of the word "longest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mais longo

🇮🇳 सबसे लंबा

🇩🇪 am längsten

🇮🇩 terpanjang

🇺🇦 найдовший

🇵🇱 najdłuższy

🇯🇵 最も長い

🇫🇷 le plus long

🇪🇸 el más largo

🇹🇷 en uzun

🇰🇷 가장 긴

🇸🇦 الأطول

🇨🇿 nejdelší

🇸🇰 najdlhší

🇨🇳 最长的

🇸🇮 najdaljši

🇮🇸 lengsta

🇰🇿 ең ұзын

🇬🇪 ყველაზე გრძელი

🇦🇿 ən uzun

🇲🇽 el más largo

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,834 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.