WordGarden.iolengthy
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /lˈɛŋθi/
US
- /ˈlɛŋθi/
Meanings
Adjective
lasting or taking a long time, often too long
long in wording, detail, or written extent
Beyond the definition
If a story feels like it never ends, or a meeting goes on forever, you'd describe it as lengthy. It means something takes a long time or covers a lot - like a trip across the country or an explanation that goes into many details.
It is not always bad; sometimes a lot of detail is useful. A lengthy novel might pull you in, while a lengthy legal document makes sure everything is included. But a lengthy speech can lose its audience if it stops being clear and focused. You might say, "The professor gave a lengthy lecture on the history of cheese," or "After a lengthy debate, they finally reached an agreement."
To describe something as lengthy is to say that it has a lot of length, whether that refers to time, distance, detail, or scope. It means more than just "long"; there is often a sense that it stretches on, sometimes more than expected.
You can use "lengthy" to describe physical distances: "They embarked on a lengthy road trip across the American West." But it's most commonly used for things that take time - like a lengthy process, a lengthy discussion, or a lengthy investigation. A lengthy report will contain many pages and details, while a lengthy film might run over two hours.
The word often carries a neutral connotation, simply stating a fact about duration or extent. However, it can sometimes imply something is excessively long, especially if paired with words like "tedious" or "unnecessarily." For example: "The instructions were so lengthy and complicated that I gave up trying to assemble the furniture."
Historically, "lengthy" comes from the word "length," relating directly to physical measurement. Over time, it expanded to encompass other forms of extension - time, detail, and complexity.
So, whether you're describing a long journey, a detailed document, or an extended conversation, "lengthy" is your go-to word when something goes on for quite some time or covers a lot of ground.
Examples
- 1
Reports
The report is lengthy, but the summary at the front is useful.
- Usage
lengthy often suggests something longer than expected or wanted
- 2
Meetings
We had a lengthy meeting about next year's budget.
- 3
Traffic delays
The accident caused lengthy delays on the highway.
- 4
Immigration
Getting a visa can be a lengthy process.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Explanation
She gave a lengthy explanation, but I still didn't understand the answer.
- 6
Legal punishment
He received a lengthy prison sentence for fraud.
See also
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- lengthyadjective
Forms
- lengthiercomparativeadjective
- lengthiestsuperlativeadjective