Domain: Universal Wordsadjective, adverb, verb
adjective (longer )
distance
1 measuring or covering a great length or distance, or a greater length or distance than usual:
She had long dark hair. * He walked down the long corridor. * It was the world's longest bridge. * a long journey / walk / drive / flight * We're a long way from anywhere here. * It's a long way away.
OPPSHORT
2 used for asking or talking about particular lengths or distances:
How long is the River Nile? * The table is six feet long. * The report is only three pages long.
time
3 lasting or taking a great amount of time or more time than usual:
He's been ill (for) a long time. * There was a long silence before she spoke. * I like it now the days are getting longer (= it stays light for more time each day). * a long book / film / list (= taking a lot of time to read / watch / deal with) * Nurses have to work long hours (= for more hours in the day than is usual). * (AmE) He stared at them for the longest time (= for a very long time) before answering.
OPPSHORT
4 used for asking or talking about particular periods of time:
How long is the course? * I think it's only three weeks long. * How long a stay did you have in mind?
5 seeming to last or take more time than it really does because, for example, you are very busy or not happy:
I'm tired. It's been a long day. * We were married for ten long years.
OPPSHORT
clothes
6 covering all or most of your legs or arms:
She usually wears long skirts. * a long-sleeved shirt
vowel sounds
7 (phonetics) taking more time to make than a short vowel sound in the same position
OPPSHORT
seealsoLENGTH
IDIOMS
as long as your arm (informal) very long:
There's a list of repairs as long as your arm.
at long last after a long time
SYNFINALLY:
At long last his prayers had been answered.
at the longest not longer than the particular time given:
It will take an hour at the longest.
by a long way by a great amount:
He was the best by a long way.
go back a long way (of two or more people) to have known each other for a long time:
We go back a long way, he and I.
go a long way (of money, food, etc.) to last a long time:
She seems to make her money go a long way. * A small amount of this paint goes a long way (= covers a large area). * (ironic) I find that a little of Jerry's company can go a long way (= I quickly get tired of being with him).
have come a long way to have made a lot of progress:
We've come a long way since the early days of the project.
have a long way to go to need to make a lot of progress before you can achieve sth:
She still has a long way to go before she's fully fit.
How long is a piece of string? (BrE, spoken) used to say that there is no definite answer to a question:
'How long will it take?' 'How long's a piece of string?'
in the long run concerning a longer period in the future:
This measure inevitably means higher taxes in the long run.
It's a long story. (informal) used to say that the reasons for sth are complicated and you would prefer not to give all the details
the long arm of sth the power and/or authority of sth:
There is no escape from the long arm of the law.
the long and (the) short of it used when you are telling sb the essential facts about sth or what effect it will have, without explaining all the details
(pull, wear, etc.) a long face (to have) an unhappy or disappointed expression:
He took one look at her long face and said 'What's wrong?'
long in the tooth (humorous, especially BrE) old or too old
a long shot an attempt or a guess that is not likely to be successful but is worth trying:
It's a long shot, but it just might work.
long time no see (spoken) used to greet sb you have not seen for a long time
not by a long chalk (BrE) (also not by a long shot AmE, BrE) not nearly; not at all:
It's not over yet-not by a long chalk.
take a long (cool / hard) look at sth to consider a problem or possibility very carefully and without hurrying:
We need to take a long hard look at all the options.
take the long view (of sth) to consider what is likely to happen or be important over a long period of time rather than only considering the present situation:
As pension funds are investing for members' retirements, they can take the long view.
to cut a long story short (BrE) (AmE to make a long story short) (spoken) used when you are saying that you will get to the point of what you are saying quickly, without including all the details:
To cut a long story short, we didn't get home until 3 in the morning!
moreatBROADadj., TERMn., WAYn.
adverb (longer )
1 for a long time:
Have you been here long? * Stay as long as you like. * The party went on long into the night. * This may take longer than we thought. * I won't be long (= I'll return, be ready, etc. soon). * How long have you been waiting? * These reforms are long overdue. * Long live the king! (= you hope he will live or last for a long time).
2 a long time before or after a particular time or event:
He retired long before the war. * It wasn't long before she had persuaded him (= it only took a short time). * We'll be home before long (= soon). * The house was pulled down long ago. * They had long since (= a long time before the present time) moved away.
3 used after a noun to emphasize that sth happens for the whole of a particular period of time:
We had to wait all day long. * They stayed up the whole night long.
IDIOMS
as / so long as
1 only if:
We'll go as long as the weather is good.
2 since; to the extent that:
So long as there is a demand for these drugs, the financial incentive for drug dealers will be there.
for (so) long for (such) a long time:
Will you be away for long? * I'm sorry I haven't written to you for so long.
no / any longer used to say that sth which was possible or true before, is not now:
I can't wait any longer. * He no longer lives here.
so long (informal) goodbye
verb ~ for sb/sth
