What does "long" mean?

1. (distance in space) having a great distance from one end to the other. 2. (duration in time) lasting for a lot of time. 3. (for a lot of time) for a great amount of time. 4. (to want something) to want something very much, especially if it is difficult to get. 5. (finance/investing) buying something like stocks because you think the price will go up. 6. (annoying/tedious) something that is boring or takes too much effort.

How do you use "long"?

Usually placed before a noun or after a linking verb like 'be'. In affirmative statements, 'for a long time' is more common than 'long' alone. Intransitive verb; typically takes the preposition 'for' or an infinitive 'to' phrase. Often used in the phrase 'to be long' or 'to go long' on an asset. Common in Multicultural London English (MLE) as a general term of frustration.

long

adj. · adv. · v.

US //ˈɫɔŋ// UK //lˈɒŋ// long

1 distance in space (adj.)
A1 Beginner

having a great distance from one end to the other.

measuring a great distance from end to end; having considerable spatial extent.

Example

The river is very long and flows through several different countries.

Example

The hikers followed a long, winding trail that stretched across the entire mountain range before descending into the valley.

Usage

Usually placed before a noun or after a linking verb like 'be'.
- extended
- lengthy
- short
2 duration in time (adj.)
A1 Beginner

lasting for a lot of time.

having a great duration; extending over a significant period of time.

Example

We had a long meeting this morning to discuss the new project.

Example

After a long and exhausting negotiation, the two companies finally reached an agreement late last night.
- prolonged
- lengthy
- brief
- short

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3 for a lot of time (adv.)
A1 Beginner

for a great amount of time.

for an extended period; often used in questions or negative sentences.

Example

Have you been waiting long for the bus to arrive?

Example

The ancient ruins had long been forgotten by the local population until a team of archaeologists rediscovered them in the 1920s.

Usage

In affirmative statements, 'for a long time' is more common than 'long' alone.
- extensively
- briefly
4 to want something (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

to want something very much, especially if it is difficult to get.

to have an intense desire or yearning for something, especially something distant or unattainable.

Example

After months of cold weather, she longed for the warm days of summer.

Example

The exiled poet longed to return to his homeland, though he knew the political situation made it impossible.

Usage

Intransitive verb; typically takes the preposition 'for' or an infinitive 'to' phrase.

Teacher's tip

This verb carries a strong emotional weight; it is more poetic and intense than 'want' or 'wish'.
5 finance/investing (adj.)
C1 Advanced Technical Math

buying something like stocks because you think the price will go up.

holding a financial position that profits from an increase in the price of an asset.

Example

He decided to go long on gold because he expected prices to rise.

Example

The fund manager maintained a long position in renewable energy stocks, betting on a shift in government policy.

Usage

Often used in the phrase 'to be long' or 'to go long' on an asset.
- short
6 annoying/tedious (adj.)
C1 Advanced Slang British English

something that is boring or takes too much effort.

describing a task or situation that is tedious, annoying, or requires an excessive amount of time.

Example

Doing all this paperwork is so long.

Example

I had to wait three hours for a reply, which was just long.

Usage

Common in Multicultural London English (MLE) as a general term of frustration.

Teacher's tip

This is very informal and mostly used by younger speakers in the UK to mean 'too much effort'.
- tedious
- peak

Word family

Verblinger
Adjectivelong
Adjectivelongtime

Idioms33 entries