LONG | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Old English lang, long (adjective), lange, longe (adverb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German lang

measuring a great distance from end to end

of great distance

• a long corridor
• long black hair
• the queue for tickets was long

lasting or taking a great amount of time

of great duration

• a long and distinguished career
• she took a long time to dress

relatively great in extent

relatively great in extent

• write a long report
• a long list of candidates

(of a vowel) categorized as long with regard to quality and length (e.g. in standard British English the vowel /uː/ in food is long as distinct from the short vowel /ʊ/ in good).

(of vowel) categorized as long

(of odds or a chance) reflecting or representing a low level of probability

(of odds) reflecting low level of probability

• winning against long odds

(of shares, bonds, or other assets) bought in advance, with the expectation of a rise in price.

(of shares etc.) bought in advance

(of a drink) large and refreshing, and in which alcohol, if present, is not concentrated.

(of drink) large and refreshing

well supplied with

well supplied with

• an industry that's long on ideas but short on cash

a long period

long period

• see you before long
• it will not be for long

a long sound such as a long signal in Morse code or a long vowel or syllable

long sound

• two longs and a short

long-dated securities, especially gilts.

long-dated securities

for a long time

for long time

• we hadn't known them long
• an experience they will long remember
• his long-awaited Grand Prix debut

(with reference to the ball in sport) at, to, or over a great distance

at or to great distance

• the Cambridge side played the ball long