lengthen
gb/lˈɛŋθən/ us/lˈɛŋθən/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
make something physically longer
To make something longer.
Usage pattern:
lengthen [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *longen* (incorrect) instead of *lengthen*.
Synonyms
extend (Common general synonym; can also imply reaching outward.)
|
elongate (More formal/technical, often used in science or medicine.)
Antonyms
shorten (Make something physically shorter.)
Collocations
lengthen a skirt
|lengthen a dress
|lengthen a hem
|lengthen a strap
|lengthen a rope
|lengthen a table
|lengthen the cable
|lengthen the handle
|lengthen the legs (of furniture)
|lengthen your hair
Themes
daily_life
|clothing
|home
Examples
- The tailor can lengthen the sleeves by two centimeters.
- We had to lengthen the rope to reach the ground safely.
- They lengthened the table to fit everyone for dinner.
Learner examples
- Can you lengthen this skirt?
- I lengthened the strap.
Verb
B2
action
2
make a period of time longer
To make something last longer.
Usage pattern:
lengthen [something] (by [amount])
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse *lengthen* (make longer) with *strengthen* (make stronger).
Synonyms
extend (Often used for deadlines, visas, contracts, and time limits.)
|
prolong (Suggests keeping something going longer than expected or desired.)
Antonyms
shorten (Reduce the amount of time something lasts.)
|
cut (Informal; reduce suddenly (e.g., cut the meeting short).)
Collocations
lengthen a meeting
|lengthen a deadline
|lengthen the process
|lengthen the wait
|lengthen the time
|lengthen a break
|lengthen the recovery
|lengthen the trial
|lengthen the schedule
|lengthen a visit
Themes
work
|daily_life
|time
Examples
- They lengthened the deadline to give everyone more time.
- The discussion lengthened the meeting by nearly an hour.
- New regulations could lengthen the approval process.
Learner examples
- They lengthened the deadline.
- The class was lengthened by ten minutes.
Verb
B2
process
3
become longer over time
To get longer.
Usage pattern:
[something] lengthens
Common mistake:
Remember the spelling: *lengthen* (with -th-), not *lengen*.
Synonyms
grow longer (More conversational multi-word alternative.)
|
extend (Often suggests reaching or spreading out, not only getting longer.)
Antonyms
shorten (Become shorter.)
Collocations
days lengthen
|nights lengthen
|shadows lengthen
|a queue lengthens
|the gap lengthens
|the list lengthens
|the pause lengthens
|the journey lengthens
|the season lengthens
|the meeting lengthens
Themes
nature
|daily_life
|time
Examples
- As spring arrives, the days begin to lengthen.
- The queue lengthened as more people arrived.
- Her shadow lengthened across the road as the sun set.
Learner examples
- The days are lengthening.
- The line lengthened quickly.
Verb
C1
action
4
make writing or speech longer
To make a text or talk longer by adding more information.
Usage pattern:
lengthen [a text/speech/paragraph/answer]
Common mistake:
Don’t use *lengthen* when you mean only to make something clearer; *clarify* may be better.
Synonyms
expand (Focuses on adding detail or breadth, not just extra length.)
|
pad (Often negative; adding unnecessary material to make something longer.)
Antonyms
shorten (Make a text or talk shorter.)
|
condense (Make shorter while keeping the main points.)
Collocations
lengthen an essay
|lengthen a paragraph
|lengthen your answer
|lengthen a report
|lengthen the introduction
|lengthen the conclusion
|lengthen a speech
|lengthen the summary
|lengthen a chapter
|lengthen the discussion
Themes
education
|writing
|communication
Examples
- The teacher asked us to lengthen our essays with more examples.
- Try to lengthen your answer by explaining why you chose that option.
- He lengthened the report by adding a section on potential risks.
Learner examples
- I need to lengthen my essay.
- She lengthened her answer.
Verb
business
C1
process
5
become less favorable (odds)
If the odds lengthen, something seems less likely to happen.
Usage pattern:
[someone's/something's] odds lengthen
Common mistake:
This sense is mainly used with *odds*; it does not mean physical length.
Synonyms
worsen (General term; not specific to betting odds.)
Antonyms
shorten (In betting, odds that shorten suggest something is more likely.)
Collocations
odds lengthen
|his odds lengthen
|her odds lengthen
|the odds have lengthened
|their odds lengthened sharply
|odds lengthen dramatically
Themes
sports
|business
|news
Examples
- After the injury announcement, his odds of winning lengthened overnight.
- As the polls tightened, the incumbent’s odds lengthened slightly.
- Bad weather can lengthen the odds of a safe landing.
Learner examples
- His odds lengthened after the news.
Grammar
Dictionary form
lengthen
IPA
GB/lˈɛŋθən/
US/lˈɛŋθən/
Syllables & stress
lengthen (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (lengthen)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: lengthen
- 3rd Person Singular: lengthens
- Present Participle: lengthening
- Past: lengthened
Word family
Expressions
lengthen into [a time/period]
1/lˈɛŋθən ˈɪntu ə tˈaɪmaɪpɚiəd/
fixed phrase
continue until a later time
To go on until later.
Examples
- The meeting lengthened into the evening.
- Their chat lengthened into the early hours of the morning.
- What started as a quick stop lengthened into a long visit.
lengthen out
1/lˈɛŋθən ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
make something longer; stretch it
To make something longer.
Examples
- They lengthened out the conversation to avoid going back inside.
- You can lengthen the dough out by rolling it gently.
- The editor asked her to lengthen out the final section.