lengthy
gb/lˈɛŋθi/ us/lˈɛŋθi/
B2
Inglés
~ 6100
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
B2
property
1
taking a long time
Taking a long time, usually longer than people want or expect.
Patrón de uso:
a lengthy [process/period/delay/meeting]
Error frecuente:
Learners often use "lengthy" when "long" is more natural in everyday speech. "Lengthy" is common in writing and can sound slightly formal or critical, suggesting that something takes too long. For simple, neutral statements (e.g., "a long day", "a long movie"), "long" is usually better than "lengthy".
Sinónimos
long (More general and common; does not always suggest that the time feels excessive.)
|
protracted (More formal and technical; often used in official or legal contexts.)
|
extended (Emphasizes that the time has been made longer, sometimes deliberately, and is less negative than "lengthy".)
Antónimos
brief (Describes something that only takes a short time, the opposite of "lengthy" in duration.)
|
short (General opposite of long in time or length; can refer to both physical length and duration.)
Colocaciones
lengthy process
|lengthy delay
|lengthy meeting
|lengthy negotiations
|lengthy procedure
|lengthy investigation
Temas
time
|work
|business
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- After a lengthy delay, the flight finally departed.
- The visa application can be a lengthy process.
- Following a lengthy investigation, the police released their report.
- Their divorce turned into a lengthy court battle.
- Recovering from the operation will be a lengthy period for him.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- There was a lengthy wait at the station.
- Getting a reply from the company was a lengthy process.
- The meeting was lengthy and everyone felt tired.
- They had a lengthy talk about their plans.
- Building the new bridge will be a lengthy job.
adjective
C1
property
2
using too many words
Using too many words and taking a long time to read or listen to, usually in a negative way.
Patrón de uso:
a lengthy [report/explanation/introduction/speech]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes use "lengthy" as a neutral synonym of "long" for books or texts. However, "lengthy" usually suggests that the text is too long and slightly negative. Use "a long book" for a neutral description, and "a lengthy book" only when you want to suggest it feels unnecessarily long.
Sinónimos
wordy (Focuses directly on using too many words; often clearly negative.)
|
long-winded (Informal and clearly negative; suggests that the speaker or writer is boring and talks or writes for too long.)
|
overlong (Explicitly means longer than it should be; clearly critical.)
Antónimos
concise (Describes speech or writing that is short but gives all the necessary information.)
|
succinct (A slightly more formal word meaning very clear and brief.)
Colocaciones
lengthy explanation
|lengthy report
|lengthy introduction
|lengthy speech
|lengthy document
|lengthy article
Temas
communication
|education
|work
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The professor gave a lengthy explanation that confused many students.
- The contract is full of lengthy legal paragraphs.
- Reviewers criticized the book for its lengthy introduction.
- Please avoid lengthy emails and keep your message to one page.
- Her presentation was clear but a bit too lengthy for a busy audience.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- He wrote a lengthy report for his manager.
- The movie has a lengthy opening scene.
- I do not like lengthy instructions.
- She sent a lengthy email to explain the problem.
- The article is interesting, but it is very lengthy.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
lengthy
AFI
GB/lˈɛŋθi/
US/lˈɛŋθi/
Sílabas y acento
lengthy (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (lengthy)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: lengthy
- Comparative: lengthier
- Superlative: lengthiest
Familia de palabras
Expresiones
lengthy delay
1/lˈɛŋθi dɪlˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
long-lasting delay or wait
A long wait before something happens, usually causing inconvenience.
Ejemplos
- Passengers faced a lengthy delay after the storm.
- There was a lengthy delay before the website was back online.
lengthy discussion
1/lˈɛŋθi dɪskˈʌʃən/
fixed phrase
very long discussion
A talk or conversation that goes on for a long time, often longer than planned.
Ejemplos
- After a lengthy discussion, they finally reached an agreement.
- We had a lengthy discussion about the project budget.
lengthy explanation
1/lˈɛŋθi ˌɛksplənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
very long explanation
An explanation that is very long and uses many words, often more than necessary.
Ejemplos
- He gave a lengthy explanation instead of a simple answer.
- The instructions begin with a lengthy explanation of the system.
lengthy legal battle
1/lˈɛŋθi lˈiɡəl bˈætəl/
fixed phrase
court case lasting many years
A court case or legal fight that goes on for a very long time.
Ejemplos
- The company was involved in a lengthy legal battle over the patent.
- After a lengthy legal battle, the family finally won compensation.
lengthy prison sentence
1/lˈɛŋθi pɹˈɪzən sˈɛntəns/
fixed phrase
very long time in prison
A punishment where someone must stay in prison for many years.
Ejemplos
- He received a lengthy prison sentence for the crime.
- The judge handed down a lengthy prison sentence to the offender.
lengthy process
1/lˈɛŋθi pɹˈɑsˌɛs/
fixed phrase
process taking a long time
A process that takes a long time to finish, often longer than people want.
Ejemplos
- Buying a house can be a lengthy process.
- Getting a work visa is often a lengthy process.