# lengthy

/ˈɫɛŋθi/ (US) · /lˈɛŋθi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lengthy
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. lasting a long time

adjective · CEFR B2

lasting for a long time, especially when it feels slow or boring.

For teachers: extending for a considerable duration, often implying that the process is overextended or tedious.

- The players had to wait for a lengthy delay while the rain stopped.
- The application process was unexpectedly lengthy, requiring several rounds of interviews and a detailed background check before a final decision was reached.

### 2. long-winded speech or writing

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

using too many words in a speech or a piece of writing.

For teachers: characterised by excessive length in speech or writing; long-winded or verbose.

- The politician gave a lengthy speech that didn't really answer the question.
- The report was criticized for its lengthy introduction, which delayed the presentation of the actual findings by nearly twenty pages.

## Examples

- The meeting was very lengthy and everyone felt tired.
- After a lengthy discussion about the budget, the committee finally agreed on a new plan.
- The legal team warned that a lengthy investigation would be necessary to uncover the full extent of the financial discrepancies within the firm.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.