Lengthen Meaning in English

word

US

ˈɫɛŋkθən/, /ˈɫɛŋθən

LENGK-thun

UK

lˈɛŋθən

LENG-thun

Definition

To make something longer in size or duration; to increase the length or time of something.

Usage & Nuances

Mostly formal or neutral, used for both physical (clothes, rope) and abstract (meetings, life) lengthening. Common collocations: 'lengthen a skirt', 'lengthen a meeting', 'days lengthen'. Not used for subjective experience (use 'seem longer' instead).

• Spanish: alargar - alargar (longitud)
• Portuguese (BR): alongar - aumentar (comprimento)
• Portuguese (PT): alongar - aumentar (comprimento)
• Chinese (Simplified): 延长 - 加长
• Chinese (Traditional): 延長 - 加長
• Hindi: लंबा करना
• Arabic: يطيل - يزيد الطول
• Bengali: লম্বা করা - বৃদ্ধি করা (সময়)
• Russian: удлинять - продлевать
• Japanese: 延ばす
• Vietnamese: kéo dài
• Korean: 늘리다 - 연장하다
• Turkish: uzatmak
• Urdu: لمبا کرنا - بڑھانا
• Indonesian: memperpanjang - memperlama

Example Sentences

Can you lengthen this rope for me?

basic

The days slowly lengthen in spring.

basic

They want to lengthen the meeting by an hour.

basic

I had to lengthen my stay because of the flight delay.

natural

Some people want to lengthen their lifespan with healthy habits.

natural

Can we lengthen this deadline just a little?

natural