lengthen

/'leɳθən/

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Explanation of the Word "Lengthen"

Definition:
The verb "lengthen" means to make something longer or to become longer. It can refer to physical objects, time, or even abstract things like experiences.

Usage Instructions:

• As a verb: You can use "lengthen" when you want to describe the action of increasing the length of something. It can be used in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Examples:

1. Physical Use: "Could you lengthen this skirt, please?" (Here, you are asking someone to make the skirt longer.)
2. Time Use: "As spring approaches, the days lengthen." (This means that during spring, the duration of daylight increases.)

Advanced Usage:

• "The artist decided to lengthen the shadows in her painting to create a more dramatic effect." (In this sentence, "lengthen" is used in a creative context.)
• "The teacher suggested that the students lengthen their essays by adding more details." (Here, it refers to increasing the length of written work.)

Word Variants:

• Length: (noun) Refers to the measurement of something from end to end, e.g., "The length of the table is six feet."
• Lengthened: (past tense) The form used to indicate that something has been made longer in the past, e.g., "The road was lengthened to accommodate more traffic."
• Lengthening: (present participle) Used to describe the ongoing action of becoming longer, e.g., "The days are lengthening as summer approaches."

Different Meanings:

• "Lengthen" primarily means to increase length, but it can also imply extending time or duration in certain contexts, such as "lengthening a meeting."

Synonyms:

• Extend
• Elongate
• Stretch
• Prolong

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• Phrasal Verb: "Lengthen out" - This means to stretch something or make it longer, often used in a more informal context. For example, "They decided to lengthen out the meeting to cover more topics."

Conclusion:

"Lengthen" is a versatile verb that you can use in many contexts, whether you're talking about clothing, time, or even creative works.

Academic

Verb

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