Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To make something longer in physical dimension or duration.
   • To extend or prolong something.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To become longer in physical dimension or duration.
   • To grow in length.

Examples

• Transitive verb:

  • The tailor can lengthen these trousers for you.
  • They decided to lengthen the school day by an hour.
  • Please lengthen the rope so it reaches the ground.

• Intransitive verb:

  • The days lengthen as summer approaches.
  • The shadow lengthened across the lawn in the evening.
  • His face seemed to lengthen in disappointment.

Advanced Usage

• "to lengthen the odds": In betting, to increase the potential payout by making an outcome seem less likely.

  • The injury to their star player has lengthened the odds on the team winning.

• "to lengthen one's stride": To take longer steps, often to walk faster.

  • Seeing the bus approach, she lengthened her stride to reach the stop in time.

Variants and Related Words

• Length (n): The measurement of something from end to end.

  • The length of the room is impressive.

• Lengthy (adj): Very long, often excessively so.

  • We had a lengthy discussion about the plans.

• Lengthwise (adv): In the direction of the length.

  • Cut the cucumber lengthwise.

Synonyms

• Extend: To make longer in space or time.
• Prolong: To make something last longer, especially in duration.
• Elongate: To make something longer and thinner (more technical/scientific).
• Stretch: To lengthen by pulling.

Antonyms

• Shorten: To make or become shorter.
• Abbreviate: To shorten a word or phrase.
• Curtail: To reduce or limit something, especially in duration.

Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Lengthen" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. The concept is typically expressed by the verb itself or with prepositions like "out.") - Lengthen out: To extend or stretch over a greater distance or period. - The line of cars lengthened out along the highway.

Related Idioms

• Lengthen one's face: To look sad or disappointed (less common).
  • The bad news made him lengthen his face.

Verb

1. become long or longer
   • In Spring, the days lengthen
2. make longer
   • Lengthen this skirt, please