elongate
gb/ɪlˈɔŋɡeɪt/ us/ɪlˈɔŋɡeɪt/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
formal
C1
action
1
make something longer
To make something longer.
Usage pattern:
elongate [something]
Common mistake:
Learners often use it where simpler lengthen or make longer is more natural in everyday speech.
Synonyms
lengthen (More common and more neutral.)
|
extend (Often implies reaching outward or adding to an existing range.)
|
stretch (Suggests pulling to make longer, sometimes temporarily.)
Antonyms
shorten (Make less long in length or time.)
|
compress (Make smaller by pressing or squeezing together.)
Collocations
elongate a muscle
|elongate the spine
|elongate a limb
|elongate the neck
|elongate a hole
|elongate a shape
|elongate the timeline
|elongate the process
|elongate a sound
|elongate a syllable
Themes
general
|science
|writing
Examples
- The therapist showed her how to elongate the muscles in her lower back.
- We need to elongate the deadline by two weeks to finish testing.
- In careful speech, some speakers elongate vowels for emphasis.
Learner examples
- Try to elongate your neck when you sit.
- They elongated the meeting by adding one more topic.
Verb
formal
C1
process
2
become longer over time
To get longer.
Usage pattern:
[something] elongates
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with 'elaborate' (add details) or 'elongated' (adjective).
Synonyms
lengthen (More general and more common.)
|
stretch out (More informal; often physical movement.)
Antonyms
shrink (Become smaller or shorter.)
|
contract (Become shorter, tighter, or smaller.)
Collocations
bones elongate
|cells elongate
|muscles elongate
|the neck elongates
|the body elongates
|the shadow elongates
|the shape elongates
|the gap elongates
Themes
science
|health
|nature
Examples
- As the sun went down, the shadows elongated across the street.
- During adolescence, the long bones elongate rapidly.
- When the material warms up, it can elongate slightly.
Learner examples
- The shadow elongates in the evening.
adjective
technical
C2
property
3
long and narrow in shape
Long and thin; shaped like a long oval.
Usage pattern:
an elongate [noun]
Common mistake:
In everyday English, elongated is much more common than elongate as an adjective.
Synonyms
elongated (More common adjective form in general English.)
|
oblong (Often used for a rectangle or oval that is longer than it is wide.)
Antonyms
rounded (More circular or not stretched in one direction.)
|
compact (Shorter and more tightly shaped.)
Collocations
elongate shape
|elongate body
|elongate structure
|elongate leaf
|elongate cell
|elongate form
Themes
science
|design
Examples
- The specimen has an elongate body with a narrow tail.
- They chose an elongate table to fit the long, thin room.
Verb
formal
C2
action
4
make something longer than needed
To make something too long.
Usage pattern:
elongate [a speech/text/explanation]
Common mistake:
Often sounds critical; in neutral contexts, use 'make longer' or 'expand' depending on meaning.
Synonyms
prolong (Focuses on making it last longer in time.)
|
drag out (More informal and clearly negative.)
Antonyms
condense (Make shorter while keeping the main points.)
|
summarize (Shorten by giving only key information.)
Collocations
elongate a speech
|elongate an explanation
|elongate the introduction
|elongate the discussion
|elongate the report
Themes
writing
|communication
Examples
- Try not to elongate your answer; a few clear sentences are enough.
- The memo was clear until the final section elongated the argument with repeated points.
Learner examples
- Don’t elongate the email; keep it short.
Grammar
Dictionary form
elongate
IPA
GB/ɪlˈɔŋɡeɪt/
US/ɪlˈɔŋɡeɪt/
Syllables & stress
elong - ate (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ate)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: elongate
- 3rd Person Singular: elongates
- Present Participle: elongating
- Past: elongated
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.