overlong

overlong

The book's overlong chapters made it difficult to finish.

Definition

  1. Adjective:

    • Excessively long: "overlong" describes something that is longer than necessary, appropriate, or expected.

  2. Adverb:

    • For too long a duration: "overlong" modifies a verb to indicate that an action or state continues beyond a reasonable or desired length of time.
Usage Examples

  • Adjective:

    • The meeting was overlong and unproductive. (The meeting lasted longer than it should have.)
    • She wrote an overlong essay that repeated the same points several times. (The essay was excessively lengthy.)

  • Adverb:

    • He spoke overlong at the conference, causing some attendees to leave early. (He spoke for too long a time.)
    • The movie dragged on overlong, losing the audience's attention. (The movie continued for an excessively long duration.)
Advanced Usage

  • "Overlong" as a critical modifier: Often used in reviews or critiques to highlight a flaw in pacing or content.

    • The novel's overlong descriptions of the landscape detracted from the plot. (The descriptions were excessively detailed and lengthy.)

  • "Overlong" in technical contexts: Can describe processes or procedures that take more time than is standard or efficient.

    • The software update was overlong, taking three hours to complete. (The update took an unusually long time.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Overlength (noun): the state or quality of being too long.

    • The overlength of the presentation caused schedule delays. (The excessive length caused problems.)

  • Overlong (also used as a compound adjective in hyphenated form): e.g., overlong speeches or overlong pauses.

Synonyms
  • Prolonged: extended in time beyond what is usual or expected.
  • Lengthy: of considerable or unusually great length.
  • Interminable: seemingly endless, often because tediously long.
  • Dragged-out: extended unnecessarily; drawn out.
Related Idioms

  • A long-drawn-out affair: a situation or event that continues for too long.

    • The negotiation became a long-drawn-out affair, much like an overlong debate. (It was excessively prolonged.)

  • Go on forever: to seem to continue without end.

    • Her speech felt like it would go on forever, as it was overlong. (It was tediously lengthy.)