Long
/lɒŋ/
Definitions
4 meaningsHaving considerable length or duration.
/lɒŋ/
Measuring a great distance from end to end.
The journey was long and tiring.
💡 Simply: Imagine a really, really tall person, or a long piece of string. It's when something measures a large amount from one end to the other. Like how a giraffe has a long neck! Or how a long story can take a long time to read.
👶 For kids: If something is long, it means it goes a far distance from one end to the other. Like a long snake!
More Examples
She has long hair.
They had a long wait at the airport.
How It's Used
"A long road stretched before them."
"The laser beam traveled a long distance."
Continuing for a relatively great amount of time.
/lɒŋ/
Referring to time
It was a long wait for the bus.
💡 Simply: When something takes a lot of time! Like, you might say, 'It was a long day at work.' Or, if you're waiting for a friend, you might say, 'I had a long wait!'
👶 For kids: If something is long, it can also mean it takes a lot of time, like a long time to wait.
More Examples
They had a long conversation about the problem.
The movie was quite long.
How It's Used
"A long wait at the doctor's office"
"A long meeting was scheduled."
For a considerable time.
/lɒŋ/
I haven't lived here long.
💡 Simply: Think of it as saying something has been happening for quite a while. 'I've known her long,' means I've known her for a good bit.
👶 For kids: If you do something long, it means you do it for a while!
More Examples
How long will you be gone?
It won't be long until the party starts.
How It's Used
"I haven't seen her long."
To have a strong desire or craving for something or someone.
/lɒŋ/
To yearn or desire strongly.
She longed for the days of her childhood.
💡 Simply: It means to REALLY want something. Like, you might 'long' for a vacation or to see a friend. It's more than just wanting; it's a deep desire.
👶 For kids: If you long for something, it means you really, really want it!
More Examples
He longed to return to his home country.
We all long for peace in the world.
How It's Used
"He longed for his homeland."
"They longed to see their family."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
as long as
Provided that; if.
"You can come to the party as long as you behave."
long time no see
Used to greet someone you haven't seen for a long time.
"Hey, long time no see! How have you been?"
in the long run
Over a long period of time; eventually.
"Investing wisely may not show immediate results, but it will pay off in the long run."
From Old English *lang*, *long*, from Proto-Germanic *langaz*. Related to Dutch *lang*, German *lang* and Swedish *lång*.
The word 'long' has existed in English for centuries, evolving from its Old English roots and retaining a consistent meaning related to measurement and time.