ENGLISH
REFERENCE

prolong

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //pɹəˈɫɔŋ// UK //pɹəlˈɒŋ// pro·long

v. to make something last for a longer time than usual or expected.

v. to extend the duration or spatial extent of something. Transitive — requires a direct object.


SIMPLE

The doctor gave him medicine to prolong his life.

CONTEXTUAL

The referee decided to prolong the match by five minutes because of the earlier injury.

COMPLEX

The legal team attempted to prolong the negotiations in hopes that a more favorable economic climate would emerge before the final contract was signed.

Synonyms
Origin

Either a back-formation from prolongation, or from Old French prolonguer or porloignier, from Latin prōlongō, from prō + longō. Doublet of purloin.

Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. Often used in the context of time, life, or processes.

Pitfall

The meeting prolonged for two hours.The meeting was prolonged for two hours.Prolong is transitive; if the subject is the thing being extended, use the passive voice or the verb 'last'.

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