lengthen

verb

length·​en ˈleŋ(k)-thən 

ˈlen(t)-

lengthened; lengthening

ˈleŋ(k)th-niŋ,

ˈlen(t)th-;

ˈleŋ(k)-thə- 

ˈlen(t)-

transitive verb

: to make longer

intransitive verb

: to grow longer

lengthener

ˈleŋ(k)th-nər

ˈlen(t)th-;

ˈleŋ(k)-thə- 

ˈlen(t)-

noun

Synonyms

• drag (out)
• draw out
• elongate
• extend
• outstretch
• prolong
• protract
• stretch

Choose the Right Synonym for lengthen

extend, lengthen, prolong, protract mean to draw out or add to so as to increase in length.

extend and lengthen imply a drawing out in space or time but extend may also imply increase in width, scope, area, or range.

extend a vacation

extend welfare services

lengthen a skirt

lengthen the workweek

prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits.

prolonged illness

protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness.

protracted litigation

Examples of lengthen in a Sentence

The days lengthened with the approach of spring.

Proper care will lengthen the life of the engine.

lengthen a pair of trousers

Recent Examples on the Web

Stress can also alter hormone levels, which can shorten or lengthen your cycle.15 Birth control methods like hormonal contraceptive pills often shorten your cycle to a specific timeline. —Carley Millhone, Health, 13 Dec. 2024

By Stephen Kearse December 8, 2024 8:00 AM EST Streaming has mutated the album as a format over the past decade, lengthening tracklists, shifting where likely hits get placed, and chipping away at song runtimes. —Stephen Kearse, TIME, 8 Dec. 2024

Over three decades, a whopping $60 million has been doled out, and the grant recipients for this year lengthen longtime support for arts education, film restoration, journalism, free speech protections and lifting up underserved communities. —Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Dec. 2024

Over the past decade, scholars have started to question whether the hurricane season needs to be lengthened. —Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

lengthen

verb

length·​en ˈleŋ(k)-thən 

ˈlen(t)-

lengthened; lengthening ˈleŋ(k)th-(ə-)niŋ 

ˈlen(t)th-

: to make or become longer

lengthener

ˈleŋ(k)th-(ə-)nər 

ˈlen(t)th-

noun