lengthen

verb

length·​en ˈleŋ(k)-thən How to pronounce lengthen (audio)
ˈlen(t)-
lengthened; lengthening
ˈleŋ(k)th-niŋ,
ˈlen(t)th-;
ˈleŋ(k)-thə- How to pronounce lengthen (audio)
ˈlen(t)-
Synonyms of lengthennext

transitive verb

: to make longer

intransitive verb

: to grow longer
lengthener
ˈleŋ(k)th-nər
ˈlen(t)th-;
ˈleŋ(k)-thə- How to pronounce lengthen (audio)
ˈlen(t)-
noun

Synonyms

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This has lengthened container transit times by one-to-two weeks, in most instances. — Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2025 Here in New Mexico, our growing season has lengthened since the 1970s, even as stream flows have decreased. — Laura Paskus, The Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2025 Zoom in: The freeze-free growing season — the number of consecutive days with minimum temperatures above freezing — lengthened between 1970 and 2024 in nearly all of the nearly 200 cities studied. — Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025 The pose lengthens the entire posterior chain, including your spine and upper back. — Amber Sayer, Outside Online, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lengthen

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of lengthen was in the 14th century

Rhymes for lengthen

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Browse Nearby Words

lengthen
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Cite this Entry

“Lengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lengthen. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

lengthen

verb
length·​en ˈleŋ(k)-thən How to pronounce lengthen (audio)
ˈlen(t)-
lengthened; lengthening ˈleŋ(k)th-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce lengthen (audio)
ˈlen(t)th-
: to make or become longer
lengthener
ˈleŋ(k)th-(ə-)nər How to pronounce lengthen (audio)
ˈlen(t)th-
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on lengthen

Nglish: Translation of lengthen for Spanish Speakers

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