Word forms: comparative lengthier, superlative lengthiest
1. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
You use lengthy to describe an event or process which lasts for a long time.
...a lengthy meeting.
...the lengthy process of filling out passport application forms.
Synonyms: protracted, long, prolonged, very long More Synonyms of lengthy
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A lengthy report, article, book, or document contains a lot of speech, writing, or other material.
...a lengthy report from the Council of Ministers.
There is a lengthy article on him in the Observer newspaper.
Synonyms: very long, rambling, interminable, long-winded More Synonyms of lengthy
lengthy in British English
(ˈlɛŋkθɪ, ˈlɛŋθɪ)
adjectiveWord forms: lengthier or lengthiest
of relatively great or tiresome extent or duration
Derived forms
lengthily (ˈlengthily)
adverb
lengthiness (ˈlengthiness)
noun
lengthy in American English
(ˈlɛŋkθi; ˈlɛŋθi)
US
adjectiveWord forms: ˈlengthier or ˈlengthiest
having length; long; esp., too long, or so long as to be tiresome
a lengthy voyage, a lengthy sermon
Derived forms
lengthily (ˈlengthily)
adverb
lengthiness (ˈlengthiness)
noun
Examples of 'lengthy' in a sentence
lengthy
Officials told her that she had to go through the lengthy appeal process.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They may lack a lengthy list of gimmicks, but sometimes less is more.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A lengthy spell in jail is the least he deserves.
The Sun (2016)
Up to 190,000 people will be left to languish on bail for lengthy periods despite a government crackdown, according to official forecasts.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Its ability to survive lengthy periods between feeds was well suited to its original habitat: caves, rock crevices and hollow trees.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Managers are in the third round of a lengthy consultation process to identify posts to be cut, but time is not on the bank's side.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It starred feuding relatives and featured a lengthy court battle and a disappearing fortune.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He was surprised to learn that a lengthy ethical review process governs all publicly funded research.
Christianity Today (2000)
She faces a lengthy spell in prison if found guilty of theft.
The Sun (2011)
It is a fairly lengthy process that takes as much dedication as losing weight does for the rest of us.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This process is a lengthy one.
Knowles, Jane Know Your Own Mind (1991)
The book sometimes loses itself in lengthy lists, yet remains lacking in detailed or relevant context.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
Meanwhile a new government had been installed in Austria after a lengthy period of transition.
Susie Gilbert and Jay Shir A TALE OF FOUR HOUSES: Opera at Covent Garden, La Scala, Vienna and the Met since1945 (2003)
The lengthy and expensive battle for information now moves to Strasbourg.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Despite a lengthy list of absentees, they had lost only once at home this season.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It means lengthy periods apart and much of the relationship is conducted via Skype.
The Sun (2012)
The hearing was delayed by a lengthy legal process in Italy.
The Sun (2014)
Now there's a lengthy referral process.
The Sun (2008)
I suspect the puppy is going to find itself in a lengthy custody battle.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This was only his second game back after a lengthy injury spell, and he was bursting with confidence.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The original sold out within weeks, followed by a lengthy waiting list to deal with the subsequent demand.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
I took out the policy because we were left in a difficult spot financially for a lengthy period.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In fact, there is a lengthy options list if you want to customise your convertible to your own taste.
The Sun (2009)
Since the last lengthy cold spell a couple of years back, frost covers have not been high on the racing agenda.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
If you give in to it over a lengthy period, you may be causing weight problems for yourself in the future.
Wilkinson, Steve M.E. and You - a self-help plan (1988)
The practice is designed to maximise returns to creditors and reduce job losses by ensuring that the failed business does not endure a lengthy period in administration.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Another week, another coach fretting about the physical demands placed on players by the modern game as he surveys a lengthy injury list.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But at least HS2 is on its way, albeit with lengthy planning battles ahead.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Forecasters at the Met Office expect most of the country to be basking in sunshine during a lengthy spell of dry weather.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
lengthy
British English: lengthy ADJECTIVE
You use lengthy to describe an event or process which lasts for a long time.
...a lengthy meeting.
American English: lengthy
Brazilian Portuguese: comprido
Chinese: 漫长的
European Spanish: largo
French: long
German: lang
Italian: molto lungo
Japanese: 長期の
Korean: 긴
European Portuguese: comprido
Latin American Spanish: largo
All related terms of 'lengthy'
lengthy battle
A battle is a conflict in which different people or groups compete in order to achieve success or control.
lengthy period
A period is a length of time.
lengthy process
A process is a series of actions which are carried out in order to achieve a particular result.
lengthy explanation
If you give an explanation of something that has happened , you give people reasons for it, especially in an attempt to justify it.
lengthy negotiations
Negotiations are formal discussions between people who have different aims or intentions , especially in business or politics , during which they try to reach an agreement.
Chinese translation of 'lengthy'
lengthy
(ˈlɛŋθɪ)
adj
[process, procedure, meeting]漫长(長)的 (màncháng de)
[report, book, document]冗长(長)的 (rǒngcháng de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
very long or tiresome
the lengthy process of filling out forms
Synonyms
protracted
The struggle was bitter and protracted.
long
This is a long film, three hours and seven minutes.
prolonged
very long
tedious
lengthened
diffuse
His writing is so diffuse that it is almost impossible to understand.
drawn-out
interminable
an interminable meeting
long-winded
long-drawn-out
a long-drawn-out election campaign
overlong
verbose
prolix
2 (adjective)
Definition
very long or tiresome
a lengthy article in the newspaper
Synonyms
very long
rambling
He wrote a rambling letter to his sister.
interminable
long-winded
The manifesto is long-winded and repetitious.
wordy
His speech is full of wordy rhetoric.
discursive
The book is characterized by a reflective, discursive style.
extended
overlong
verbose
When drunk, he becomes pompous and verbose.
prolix
Opposites
short
,
limited
,
brief
,
to the point
,
concise
,
condensed
,
terse
,
succinct
Additional synonyms
in the sense of diffuse
Definition
lacking conciseness
His writing is so diffuse that it is almost impossible to understand.
Synonyms
rambling,
loose,
vague,
meandering,
waffling (informal),
long-winded,
wordy,
discursive,
verbose,
prolix,
maundering,
digressive,
diffusive,
circumlocutory
in the sense of discursive
Definition
passing from one topic to another
The book is characterized by a reflective, discursive style.
Synonyms
digressive,
loose,
rambling,
roundabout,
diffuse,
meandering,
desultory,
long-winded,
circuitous,
prolix
in the sense of interminable
Definition
seemingly endless because boring
an interminable meeting
Synonyms
endless,
long,
never-ending,
dragging,
unlimited,
infinite,
perpetual,
protracted,
limitless,
boundless,
everlasting,
ceaseless,
long-winded,
long-drawn-out,
immeasurable,
wearisome,
unbounded
Synonyms of 'lengthy'
lengthy
Explore 'lengthy' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of long
Definition
seeming to occupy a greater time than is really so
This is a long film, three hours and seven minutes.
Synonyms
prolonged,
slow,
dragging,
sustained,
lengthy,
lingering,
protracted,
interminable,
spun out,
long-drawn-out
in the sense of long-drawn-out
a long-drawn-out election campaign
Synonyms
prolonged,
marathon,
lengthy,
protracted,
interminable,
spun out,
dragged out,
overlong,
overextended
in the sense of long-winded
Definition
tiresomely long
The manifesto is long-winded and repetitious.
Synonyms
rambling,
prolonged,
lengthy,
tedious,
diffuse,
tiresome,
wordy,
long-drawn-out,
garrulous,
discursive,
repetitious,
overlong,
verbose,
prolix
in the sense of prolix
Definition
(of a speech or piece of writing) overlong and boring