Definition

1. Noun:
   • A tedious or boring passage, especially in a literary work, play, film, or other piece of art. It refers to a section that feels overly long, dull, and causes the audience's interest to wane.

Usage

• The word longueur is used to critically describe a part of a creative work that is perceived as a flaw due to its lack of engagement or slow pace. It is a formal term often found in literary, theatrical, or cinematic criticism.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The novel is a masterpiece, but it has its longueurs in the middle chapters.
  • Despite the brilliant acting, the three-hour play contained several longueurs that tested the audience's patience.
  • The film critic noted that the director's cut was marred by unnecessary longueurs.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in the plural form longueurs to indicate multiple boring sections.
  • The memoir was heartfelt, yet readers often complain about its longueurs.
• It can be applied metaphorically to describe any prolonged period of dullness in an event or situation.
  • The four-hour meeting was filled with bureaucratic longueurs.

Variants and Related Words

• Long-winded (adj): Using or containing too many words; tedious.
  • His long-winded explanation became a longueur in itself.
• Tedium (n): The state of being tedious.
  • The longueur in the second act created a sense of tedium.

Synonyms

• Dull stretch: A period lacking in interest.
• Tedious passage: A boring section of a work.
• Slow patch: An informal term for a part where progress or interest slows.

Antonyms

• Climax: The most intense point of a narrative.
• Page-turner: A book that is so engaging one reads it quickly.
• Gripping section: A part that holds one's attention firmly.

Notes

• Longueur is a loanword from French, literally meaning "length." In English, it carries the negative connotation of excessive and boring length. It is a specialized term primarily used in artistic and critical contexts.

Noun

1. a period of dullness or boredom (especially in a work of literature or performing art)