Definition

Adverb: At a time in the far past; a long time in the past.

Usage and Examples

• Adverb: Used to indicate that something happened a very considerable time before the present.
  • We met once, long ago.
  • They long ago forsook their nomadic life.
  • He left for work long ago.

Advanced Usage

• "long since": A formal or literary variant meaning the same as "long ago," emphasizing that the action was completed far in the past and its effects continue to the present.
  • He has long since given up mountain climbing.
  • This name has long since been forgotten.

Variants and Related Words

• Lang syne (adverb): A Scottish term meaning "long ago" or "in times long past," famously used in the song "Auld Lang Syne."
• Once upon a time (phrase): A traditional story-opening phrase meaning "long ago."

Synonyms

• Ages ago
• In the distant past
• Once
• Far back

Notes on Meaning

This adverb refers to a point in time, not a duration. It describes when something happened, not for how long it happened. It is typically used at the end of a clause or sentence.

Adverb

1. of the distant or comparatively distant past
   • We met once long ago
   • they long ago forsook their nomadic life
   • left for work long ago
   • he has long since given up mountain climbing
   • This name has long since been forgotten
   • lang syne is Scottish