lengthy

adjective

ˈleŋ(k)-thē How to pronounce lengthy (audio)
ˈlen(t)-
lengthier; lengthiest
Synonyms of lengthynext
1
: protracted excessively : overlong
2
: extended, long
lengthily
ˈleŋ(k)-thə-lē How to pronounce lengthy (audio)
ˈlen(t)-
adverb
lengthiness
ˈleŋ(k)-thē-nəs How to pronounce lengthy (audio)
ˈlen(t)-
noun

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of lengthy in a Sentence

The process is both lengthy and costly. a series of lengthy delays Lengthier trips require more planning.
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.
Axios reported Trump’s Congressional address had lasted 100 minutes, the lengthiest speech to date. — Brad Adgate, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 President Donald Trump’s lengthy address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night at the U.S. Capitol had its share of protests from legislators with several using clothing to signal their disapproval of the current administration’s policies and budgetary cuts. — Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 5 Mar. 2025 Buyers can choose to line each lengthy sidewall with floor-to-ceiling automotive-grade glass, with or without optional electric sliding doors to open the space up whenever desired. — Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 5 Mar. 2025 The new approval process is creating lengthy wait times for agencies to onboard new hires, causing fears that those employees will go unpaid, their work will go undone, and that their personal information might be compromised. — Quil Lawrence, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lengthy

Word History

First Known Use

1689, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lengthy was in 1689

Browse Nearby Words

lengthy
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Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

lengthy

adjective
ˈleŋ(k)-thē How to pronounce lengthy (audio)
ˈlen(t)-
lengthier; lengthiest
: very long
lengthily
-thə-lē How to pronounce lengthy (audio)
adverb
lengthiness
-thē-nəs How to pronounce lengthy (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on lengthy

Nglish: Translation of lengthy for Spanish Speakers

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