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ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Lengthen

/ˈlɛŋθən/ · verb

Meaning

(transitive) To make longer, to extend the length of..

Definitions by Sense

  1. (transitive) To make longer, to extend the length of.
  2. (intransitive) To become longer.

Example Sentences

You need to lengthen the story if you want to have it published.
The platforms of all stations from Shepherds Bush to Liverpool Street have been lengthened from 325 ft. to 427 ft. between tunnel headwalls, to take longer trains.
The shadows on the lawn lengthened as the sun began to set.

Synonyms for lengthen

elongatedraw outenlengthenextendlengthenproduceprolongprotractstretch

Antonyms for lengthen

shortenabbreviateabridgeamputatebreviateclip

Related Words

prolongationprotractionincreasingperpetuationelongateprolongprotractextendwidenbroadenstretchenlargeexpandincreaselieslowrenewenlengthenelongprolongate

Word Forms

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does lengthen mean?

Lengthen means (transitive) To make longer, to extend the length of..

What is a synonym for lengthen?

Common synonyms include elongate, draw out, enlengthen, extend.

What is the opposite of lengthen?

Possible antonyms include shorten, abbreviate, abridge, amputate.

How do you use lengthen in a sentence?

You need to lengthen the story if you want to have it published.

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.