Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense stretches, present participle stretching, past tense, past participle stretched
1. verb [no cont]
Something that stretches over an area or distance covers or exists in the whole of that area or distance.
The procession stretched for several miles. [VERB preposition/adverb]
He had burns that stretched from his neck to his hips. [VERB preposition/adverb]
...an artificial reef stretching the length of the coast. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: extend, cover, spread, reach More Synonyms of stretch
2. countable noun
A stretchof road, water, or land is a length or area of it.
It's a very dangerous stretch of road. [+ of]
This stretch of Lost River was broader and deeper.
...a long stretch of beach with fine white sand.
Synonyms: expanse, area, tract, spread More Synonyms of stretch
3. verb
When you stretch, you put your arms or legs out straight and tighten your muscles.
He yawned and stretched. [VERB]
Try stretching your legs and pulling your toes upwards. [VERB noun]
She arched her back and stretched herself. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: straighten out, extend, unbend More Synonyms of stretch
Stretch is also a noun.
At the end of a workout spend time cooling down with some slow stretches.
stretchinguncountable noun
Make sure no awkward stretching is required.
4. countable noun
A stretchof time is a period of time.
He was fluent in French, having spent stretches of time in Southern France.
...after an 18-month stretch in the army.
He would study for eight to ten hours at a stretch.
Synonyms: period, time, spell, stint More Synonyms of stretch
5. ergative verb
If an event or activity stretches or is stretchedinto a further period of time, it continues into that period, which is later than expected.
...as anti-abortion protests stretched into their second week. [Vinto/to n]
The talks could be stretched into the summer of next year. [beV-ed into/to n]
Synonyms: last, continue, go on, extend More Synonyms of stretch
6. verb
If something stretchesfrom one time to another, it begins at the first time and ends at the second, which is longer than expected.
...a working day that stretches from seven in the morning to eight at night. [VERBfrom noun to noun]
7. verb
If a group of things stretchfrom one type of thing to another, the group includes a wide range of things.
...a trading empire, with interests that stretched from chemicals to sugar. [VERBfrom noun to noun]
Synonyms: range, go, run, extend More Synonyms of stretch
8. verb
When something soft or elastic stretches or is stretched, it becomes longer or bigger as well as thinner, usually because it is pulled.
The cables are designed not to stretch. [VERB]
Ease the pastry into the corners of the tin, making sure you don't stretch it. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: expand, lengthen, be elastic, be stretchy More Synonyms of stretch
9. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Stretch fabric is soft and elastic and stretches easily.
...stretch fabrics such as Lycra.
...stretch cotton swimsuits.
10. verb
If you stretch an amount of something or if it stretches, you make it last longer than it usually would by being careful and not wasting any of it.
They're used to stretching their budgets. [VERB noun]
During his senior year his earnings stretched far enough to buy an old car. [VERB]
Synonyms: put demands on, put a strain on, overextend More Synonyms of stretch
11. verb [no cont]
If your resources can stretch to something, you can just afford to do it.
She suggested to me that I might like to start regular savings and I said 'Well,I don't know whether I can stretch to that.' [VERB + to]
Synonyms: afford, have enough money for More Synonyms of stretch
12. verb
If something stretches your money or resources, it uses them up so you have hardly enough for your needs.
The drought there is stretching American resources. [VERB noun]
Public expenditure was being stretched to the limit. [beVERB-ed preposition/adverb]
stretchedgraded adjective
The deal will also help the company's stretched finances.
13. verb
If you say that a job or task stretches you, you mean that you like it because it makes you work hard and use all your energyand skills so that you do not become bored or achieve less than you should.
[approval]
I'm trying to move on and stretch myself with something different. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
They criticised the quality of teaching, claiming pupils were not stretched enough. [beVERB-ed]
Synonyms: test, challenge, push, tax More Synonyms of stretch
14.
See at full stretch
15.
See at full stretch
16.
See by any stretch of the imagination/by no stretch of the imagination
17.
See stretch one's legs
18.
See stretch a point
Phrasal verbs:
See stretch out
More Synonyms of stretch
stretch in British English
(strɛtʃ)
verb
1.
to draw out or extend or be drawn out or extended in length, area, etc
2.
to extend or be extended to an undue degree, esp so as to distort or lengthen permanently
3.
to extend (the limbs, body, etc)
4. (transitive)
to reach or suspend (a rope, etc) from one place to another
5. (transitive)
to draw tight; tighten
6. (often foll byout, forward, etc)
to reach or hold (out); extend
7. (intransitive; usually foll byover)
to extend in time
the course stretched over three months
8. (intr; foll by for, over, etc)
(of a region, etc) to extend in length or area
9. (intransitive)
(esp of a garment) to be capable of expanding, as to a larger size
socks that will stretch
10. (transitive)
to put a great strain upon or extend to the limit
11.
to injure (a muscle, tendon, ligament, etc) by means of a strain or sprain
12. (transitive; often foll byout)
to make do with (limited resources)
to stretch one's budget
13. (transitive) informal
to expand or elaborate (a story, etc) beyond what is credible or acceptable
that's stretching it a bit
14. (tr; often passive)
to extend, as to the limit of one's abilities or talents
15. archaic or slang
to hang or be hanged by the neck
16. stretch a point
17. stretch one's legs
noun
18.
the act of stretching or state of being stretched
19.
a large or continuous expanse or distance
a stretch of water
20.
extent in time, length, area, etc
21.
a.
capacity for being stretched, as in some garments
b.
(as modifier)
stretch pants
22. horse racing
the section or sections of a racecourse that are straight, esp the final straight section leading to the finishing line
23. slang
a term of imprisonment
24. at a stretch
Derived forms
stretchable (ˈstretchable)
adjective
stretchability (ˌstretchaˈbility)
noun
Word origin
Old English streccan; related to Old Frisian strekka, Old High German strecken; see straight, strake
stretch in American English
(strɛtʃ)
verb transitive
1.
to hold out or reach out; extend
to stretch out a helping hand
2.
to cause (the body or limbs) to reach out to full length, as in yawning, relaxing, reclining, etc.
3.
to pull or spread out to full extent or to greater size
to stretch sheets out to dry
4.
to cause to reach or extend over a given space, distance, or time
to stretch pipelines across a continent
5.
a.
to cause to reach or extend farther or too far; force or strain
b.
to strain in interpretation, application, scope, etc. to questionable or unreasonable limits
to stretch a rule, to stretch the truth
6.
to make tense or tight with effort; strain (a muscle, etc.)
7. Slang
to knock down, esp. so as to cause to lie at full length
verb intransitive
8.
a.
to spread or be spread out to full extent or beyond normal limits
b.
to extend or continue over a given space, distance, direction, or time
9.
a.
to extend the body or limbs to full length, as in yawning or reaching for something
b.
to lie down at full length
usually with out
10.
to become stretched or be capable of being stretched to greater size, as any elasticsubstance
11. Jazz
to perform a lengthy improvised solo
with out
noun
12.
a stretching or being stretched
13.
a.
an unbroken period; continuous space (of time)
over a stretch of ten days
b. Slang
a term served in prison under a sentence
14.
the extent to which something can be stretched
15.
an unbroken length, tract, or space; continuous extent or distance
a long stretch of beach
16.
a.
any of the sections of a course or track for racing
b.
homestretch (sense 1)
17.
a course or direction
18.
a stretch limousine, airliner, etc.
19.
an action or effort that exceeds someone's normal limits or powers
20. US, Baseball
the act of bringing the hands together, as before the chest, and then lowering them and pausing before pitching the ball or attempting to pick off a base runner
see also windup (sense 2)
adjective
21.
made of elasticized fabric so as to stretch easily and fit closely
stretch pants
22.
designating or of a vehicle, esp. a limousine, that has been customized by extending the passenger section to enlarge seating capacity
Derived forms
stretchability (ˌstretchaˈbility)
noun
stretchable (ˈstretchable)
adjective
Word origin
ME strecchen < OE streccan, akin to Ger strecken < IE *sterg- < base *(s)ter-, to be stiff, rigid > stare
More idioms containing
stretch
the home stretch
be at full stretch
Examples of 'stretch' in a sentence
stretch
This could push already stretched families over the edge.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Trying to stretch out that period is no bad thing.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
To spend in one stretch less than this minimum is sheer waste.
Peter F. Drucker THE ESSENTIAL DRUCKER (2001)
It is by no stretch of the imagination a pretty car.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The second aspect of stretching is to stretch ourselves beyond our own comforts.
Christianity Today (2000)
He now faces a further long stretch if convicted of robbery.
The Sun (2010)
Flat cotton fields stretched away beneath a white sky.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
What makes this stretch of the river so prized by fishermen?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The deluge will cap one of the longest stretches of wet weather in memory.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Some might think their patience has been stretched far enough.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
And a big beach stretching way off into the heat haze.
The Sun (2013)
Businesses must not take their foot off the pedal during the final stretch.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
You should only feel slight discomfort and in some cases be able to extend the stretch.
The Sun (2011)
Your muscles have been stretched before so they stretch more easily.
The Sun (2011)
Your muscles stretch farther in the heat so you get rid of more toxins.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Try out your own stopping distance on a stretch of clear road.
The Sun (2006)
War is no longer about two armies facing off along a clearly defined stretch of land.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The area is a famously dangerous stretch of coastline and is the site of thousands of shipwrecks.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The new cameras can enforce the speed limit over stretches of up to six miles.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Stretch your arms straight up towards the ceiling and flex your feet so that they come up a little off the floor.
MacEoin, Beth Healthy By Nature (1994)
City's attackers were also at full stretch when calm heads were called for.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There are some poignant moments, but it does feel a little like a short film stretched to feature length.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Take hiking boots for walks along pretty stretches of the River Avon.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Using cashmere and stretch fabrics such as jersey, she produced a capsule wardrobe of modern, interchangeable pieces.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
stretch
British English: stretch /strɛtʃ/ VERB
extend Something that stretches over an area covers all of it.
The line of cars stretched for miles.
American English: stretch
Arabic: يـَمْتَدُ
Brazilian Portuguese: esticar
Chinese: 拉长
Croatian: rastezati
Czech: rozprostírat se
Danish: strække (sig)
Dutch: uitstrekken (zich) uitrekken
European Spanish: abarcar
Finnish: venyä
French: étirer
German: erstrecken (sich)
Greek: απλώνομαι
Italian: estendersi
Japanese: 伸びる
Korean: 뻗어 있다
Norwegian: strekke
Polish: przeciągnąć się
European Portuguese: esticar
Romanian: a acoperi
Russian: растянуться
Latin American Spanish: estirar
Swedish: sträcka
Thai: ขยายออก
Turkish: uzanmak
Ukrainian: потягатися
Vietnamese: kéo dài
British English: stretch /strɛtʃ/ VERB
with your body When you stretch, you hold out part of your body as far as you can.
He yawned and stretched.
American English: stretch
Arabic: يَتَمَطَّى
Brazilian Portuguese: esticar
Chinese: 伸展四肢
Croatian: rastegnuti se
Czech: natáhnout sepro něco
Danish: strække sig
Dutch: zich uitstrekken
European Spanish: estirarse
Finnish: venytellä
French: s'étirermouvement
German: strecken
Greek: τεντώνομαι
Italian: stiracchiarsi
Japanese: 手足を伸ばす
Korean: 기지개를 켜다
Norwegian: strekke
Polish: rozciągać się
European Portuguese: alongar
Romanian: a se întinde
Russian: тянуться
Latin American Spanish: estirarse
Swedish: sträcka på sig
Thai: เหยียดแขนขา
Turkish: gerinmek
Ukrainian: потягатися
Vietnamese: vươn người
British English: stretch NOUN
A stretch of road, water, or land is a length or area of it.
It's a very dangerous stretch of road.
American English: stretch
Brazilian Portuguese: trecho
Chinese: 一段
European Spanish: tramo
French: portion
German: Abschnitt
Italian: trattodi strada, fiume
Japanese: 区間
Korean: 구간
European Portuguese: trecho
Latin American Spanish: tramo
All related terms of 'stretch'
stretch out
If you stretch out or stretch yourself out , you lie with your legs and body in a straight line .
home stretch
The home stretch or the home straight is the last part of a race .
stretch limo
A stretch limo is a very long and luxurious car in which a rich , famous , or important person is driven somewhere .
stretch mark
a mark that remains visible on the abdomen after its distension, esp in pregnancy
stretch marks
Stretch marks are lines or marks on someone's skin caused by the skin stretching after the person's weight has changed rapidly. Women who have had children often have stretch marks.
at a stretch
with some difficulty ; by making a special effort
stretch limousine
a limousine that has been lengthened to provide extra seating accommodation and more legroom
at full stretch
If you are at full stretch , your arm is straight and extended as far as possible , usually because you are trying to reach something that is almost too far away.
stretch a point
If you stretch a point , you describe something in a way which is not accurate , although it may be partly true .
stretch one's legs
If you stretch your legs , you go for a short walk, usually after you have been sitting down for a long time.
stretch the budget
Your budget is the amount of money that you have available to spend . The budget for something is the amount of money that a person, organization, or country has available to spend on it.
the home stretch
the last part or stage of a long or difficult activity
be at full stretch
to be unable to work any harder or more efficiently, because you are already using all your resources
stretch the definition
A definition is a statement giving the meaning of a word or expression, especially in a dictionary .
stretch one's imagination
If you say that something stretches your imagination , you mean that it is good because it makes you think about things that you had not thought about before.
spread one's wings
to make full use of one's abilities
spread your wings
to do something new that is more ambitious than anything you have done before
bend the rules/stretch the rules
If someone in authority bends the rules or stretches the rules , they do something even though it is against the rules.
by any stretch of the imagination not by any stretch of the imagination
If you say that something is not true or possible by any stretch of the imagination , you are emphasizing that it is completely untrue or absolutely impossible .
by any stretch of the imagination/by no stretch of the imagination not by any stretch of the imagination
If you say that something is not true or possible by any stretch of the imagination , you are emphasizing that it is completely untrue or absolutely impossible .
Chinese translation of 'stretch'
stretch
(strɛtʃ)
n(c)
[of road, sand, water]连(連)绵(綿)的一片 (liánmián de yī piàn)