lengthen
verb
length·en ˈleŋ(k)-thən 
ˈlen(t)-
lengthened; lengthening ˈleŋ(k)th-niŋ
ˈlen(t)th-;
ˈleŋ(k)-thə-,
ˈlen(t)-
transitive verb
: to make longer
intransitive verb
: to grow longer
lengthener
ˈleŋ(k)th-nər
noun ˈlen(t)th-;
ˈleŋ(k)-thə-
ˈlen(t)-
Synonyms
- drag (out)
- draw out
- elongate
- extend
- outstretch
- prolong
- protract
- stretch
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The days lengthened with the approach of spring. Proper care will lengthen the life of the engine. lengthen a pair of trousers
Recent Examples on the Web Advocates for the right to die, a movement that dates back to the 1970s, have historically raised concerns about the potentially dehumanizing nature of these interventions, which can lengthen a person’s life without improving its quality. 
Jonathan Moens, Ars Technica, 8 Aug. 2022 Rice water is a beauty treatment that has risen in popularity in recent years as many try to strengthen and lengthen their hair at home. Emerald Elitou, Essence, 8 July 2022 The project will lengthen and widen the northbound ramp at the exit. oregonlive, 29 July 2022 And without marketing, sales lead time could lengthen drastically, leading to burnout and churn of your sales staff. Azadeh Williams, Forbes, 29 June 2022 The North Carolina Courage, sitting firmly in last place in the NWSL standings, seemed a prime candidate to lengthen that shutout streak. oregonlive, 5 Aug. 2022 In multiple audits and investigations over several years, Metro repeatedly has been cited for prioritizing service over safety guidelines that could create or lengthen delays. Justin George, Washington Post, 14 July 2022 The veteran filmmaker originally set out to document actress Evan Rachel Wood’s successful drive to lengthen the statute of limitations for domestic violence felonies in California from three to five years. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2022 As the days lengthen toward the summer solstice, the city’s roses unfurl their petals in an exuberant palette: coral, apricot, wine-red, lavender, sunny yellow. Mary Winston Nicklin, Washington Post, 17 June 2022 See More
Jonathan Moens, Ars Technica, 8 Aug. 2022 Rice water is a beauty treatment that has risen in popularity in recent years as many try to strengthen and lengthen their hair at home. Emerald Elitou, Essence, 8 July 2022 The project will lengthen and widen the northbound ramp at the exit. oregonlive, 29 July 2022 And without marketing, sales lead time could lengthen drastically, leading to burnout and churn of your sales staff. Azadeh Williams, Forbes, 29 June 2022 The North Carolina Courage, sitting firmly in last place in the NWSL standings, seemed a prime candidate to lengthen that shutout streak. oregonlive, 5 Aug. 2022 In multiple audits and investigations over several years, Metro repeatedly has been cited for prioritizing service over safety guidelines that could create or lengthen delays. Justin George, Washington Post, 14 July 2022 The veteran filmmaker originally set out to document actress Evan Rachel Wood’s successful drive to lengthen the statute of limitations for domestic violence felonies in California from three to five years. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2022 As the days lengthen toward the summer solstice, the city’s roses unfurl their petals in an exuberant palette: coral, apricot, wine-red, lavender, sunny yellow. Mary Winston Nicklin, Washington Post, 17 June 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Kids Definition
lengthen
verb
length·en ˈleŋ-thən
lengthened; lengthening
: to make or become longer
lengthen a dress
lengthen
verb
as in to prolong
to make longer I had to lengthen the handle of the paint roller in order to reach the top of the wall Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- prolong
- extend
- increase
- stretch
- elongate
- protract
- expand
- draw out
- enlarge
- outstretch
- amplify
- drag (out)
- attenuate
- thin
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- shorten
- reduce
- cut
- curtail
- abridge
- decrease
- diminish
- abbreviate
- lessen
- thicken
- cut back
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of lengthen are extend, prolong, and protract. While all these words mean "to draw out or add to so as to increase in length," extend and lengthen imply a drawing out in space or time but extend may also imply increase in width, scope, area, or range.
extend a vacation
extend welfare services
lengthen a skirt
lengthen the workweek
While the synonyms prolong and lengthen are close in meaning, prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits.
prolonged illness
Protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness.
protracted litigation