long
gb/lˈɔŋ/ us/lˈɔŋ/
A1
English
~ 400
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A1
property
1
Measuring a large length or distance
Having a big distance from one end to the other.
Usage pattern:
[something] is long
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'long' with 'tall'; 'long' is for horizontal or end-to-end measurement, while 'tall' is for height.
Synonyms
extended (More formal; emphasizes being stretched out or prolonged in space or time.)
Antonyms
short (Describes something with a small distance from end to end, opposite of long.)
Collocations
long road
|long hair
|long journey
|long list
|long arm
|long line
Themes
measurement
|daily life
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The bridge is over two kilometers long.
- She has long blonde hair.
- We walked down a long corridor to reach the office.
Learner examples
- The table is very long.
- He has long legs.
- This street is long.
adjective
A1
property
2
Taking a lot of time
Continuing for much time.
Usage pattern:
a long [time period/event]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'long' instead of alternatives like 'lengthy' or 'extended' in formal writing.
Synonyms
lengthy (Slightly more formal; can imply tediousness.)
Antonyms
short (Lasting only a small amount of time, opposite of long in duration.)
Collocations
long day
|long wait
|long meeting
|long history
|long career
Themes
time
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- It’s been a long day at work.
- We had a long conversation about the project.
- The movie felt too long.
Learner examples
- The lesson is long.
- We had a long talk.
- It was a long night.
Verb
B2
action
3
Strongly desire something
To want something very much.
Usage pattern:
to long for [something] / to long to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the adjective 'long'; as a verb, it means 'desire', not 'measure'.
Synonyms
yearn (More literary; suggests deep emotional desire.)
Antonyms
despise (To strongly dislike or reject something instead of wanting it.)
Collocations
long for peace
|long for home
|long for freedom
Themes
emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She longed for the days when they were together.
- He longs to travel the world.
- I have been longing for some quiet time.
Learner examples
- I long for summer.
- She longs to see her family.
- He longs for a new job.
Grammar
Dictionary form
long
IPA
GB/lˈɔŋ/
US/lˈɔŋ/
Syllables & stress
long (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (long)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: long
- Comparative: longer
- Superlative: longest
Verb
- Base: long
- 3rd Person Singular: longs
- Present Participle: longing
- Past: longed
Word family
Expressions
at long last
1/ˈæt lˈɔŋ lˈæst/
idiom
Finally, after much delay
After waiting for a long time, finally.
Examples
- At long last, the package arrived.
- We have, at long last, completed the project.
long time no see
1/lˈɔŋ tˈaɪm nˈoʊ sˈi/
fixed phrase
informal
Greeting after not meeting for a while
A friendly way to say hello to someone you have not seen in a long time.
Examples
- Hey, long time no see! How have you been?
- Long time no see! I missed you.
as long as
1/ˈæz lˈɔŋ ˈæz/
fixed phrase
Only if; during the time that
Only if something happens, or during the time something happens.
Examples
- You can borrow my bike as long as you bring it back by tomorrow.
- As long as we keep working hard, we will succeed.
as long as
2/ˈæz lˈɔŋ ˈæz/
fixed phrase
Provided that; during the time that something lasts
If something happens; or during the time something happens.
Examples
- You can borrow it as long as you bring it back tomorrow.
- I’ll stay here as long as you need me.
before long
1/bɪfˈɔɹ lˈɔŋ/
fixed phrase
Soon; in a short time from now
Not much time will pass before something happens.
Examples
- Before long, she will be running her own company.
- You’ll hear from them before long.
before long
2/bɪfˈɔɹ lˈɔŋ/
fixed phrase
Soon after now or then
In a short time from now or from a mentioned time.
Examples
- Before long, we were good friends.
- The train will arrive before long.
in the long run
1/ˈɪn ðə lˈɔŋ ɹˈʌn/
idiom
Eventually, after a long time
After much time has passed, considering the final result.
Examples
- In the long run, investing in education pays off.
- It will be cheaper in the long run to buy quality products.
- In the long run, this decision will save money.
- It may be hard now, but it will be worth it in the long run.
- In the long run, regular exercise benefits your health.
- It might be hard now, but in the long run you'll be happier.
in the long run
2/ˈɪn ðə lˈɔŋ ɹˈʌn/
idiom
over a long time, final effect
After a long time has passed, thinking about the final result.
Examples
- In the long run, investing in education pays off.
- You may feel tired now, but exercise will help you in the long run.