Word
lengthen
Phoneticslength·en, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫɛŋkθən/
UK/lˈɛŋθən/
Definition
v. to make something longer or to become longer. You use this when talking about physical things like roads or time periods.
v. to increase the linear dimension of something; to extend in space or time. Often used in the context of physical expansion or the elongation of a period.
Examples
“The sun will lengthen the shadows as it sets.”
“The architect decided to lengthen the hallway to provide more space for the new office furniture.”
“As the season progressed, the days began to lengthen, eventually reaching their peak duration just before the summer solstice.”
Examples
simple
“The sun will lengthen the shadows as it sets.”
contextual
“The architect decided to lengthen the hallway to provide more space for the new office furniture.”
complex
“As the season progressed, the days began to lengthen, eventually reaching their peak duration just before the summer solstice.”
Real-World Examples
“In the left map above, the darkest red areas mark the places where the melt season lengthened fastest during that decade.” “As the researchers lengthened the fall, this phase increased—a behavior in line with the theory.” Etymology
From length + -en.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/lengthen