lengthy

adjective

ˈleŋ(k)-thē How to pronounce lengthy (audio)
ˈlen(t)-
lengthier; lengthiest
Synonyms of lengthynext
1
: protracted excessively : overlong
2
: extended, long
lengthily
ˈleŋ(k)-thə-lē How to pronounce lengthy (audio)
ˈlen(t)-
adverb
lengthiness
ˈleŋ(k)-thē-nəs How to pronounce lengthy (audio)
ˈlen(t)-
noun

Synonyms of lengthy

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Examples of lengthy in a Sentence

The process is both lengthy and costly. a series of lengthy delays Lengthier trips require more planning.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But she's also taken heat for some of her remarks, including lengthy jokes about the non-binary community and dismissing the use of they/them pronouns. — Juana Summers, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026 Pablo also posted a lengthy live video reaction to the punishment yesterday, which is worth a watch/listen. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Ascherson still regularly produces lengthy pieces for The New York Review of Books and the London Review of Books, and has been one of the most prolific contributors to each publication. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026 Buses carrying crew members of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier streamed into Thailand’s seaside resort city of Pattaya on Thursday, as part of a port call after a lengthy deployment to the Middle East. — Jintamas Saksornchai, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lengthy

Word History

First Known Use

1689, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lengthy was in 1689

Browse Nearby Words

lengthwise
lengthy
Lengua
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lengthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lengthy. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lengthy

adjective
ˈleŋ(k)-thē How to pronounce lengthy (audio)
ˈlen(t)-
lengthier; lengthiest
: very long
lengthily
-thə-lē How to pronounce lengthy (audio)
adverb
lengthiness
-thē-nəs How to pronounce lengthy (audio)
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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