long
A1Universal (used across all registers)
Definition
Meaning
Extending far or having a considerable extent in space, time, or quantity.
Wishing or desiring strongly; yearning (to long for). Also, used adverbially to indicate duration.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Polysemous: primarily a physical/temporal measure (adj, adv), but also a verb of desire. Often forms compounds (e.g., long-distance, long-term).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Spelling in verb-derived nouns: BrE 'longing', AmE also 'longing'. Some frequency differences in collocations.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. 'A long time' may be slightly more frequent than 'a long while' in AmE.
Frequency
Core adjective/adverb usage is equally high. Verb 'to long for' is slightly more literary in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
long for [NP]long to [INF][NP] be long (in) [GERUND]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in the long run”
- “go a long way”
- “a long shot”
- “long in the tooth”
- “take a long hard look”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'Long-term strategy', 'long position' (finance), 'long lead time'.
Academic
'Longitudinal study', 'long-standing tradition', 'long-term effects'.
Everyday
'It's a long way', 'I waited a long time', 'She has long hair'.
Technical
'Long exposure' (photography), 'long int' (computing), 'long wave' (physics).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She longed for a cup of proper tea.
- He longs to visit the Highlands again.
American English
- I'm longing for some good barbecue.
- They long to take a road trip out West.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My hair is long.
- The film was very long.
- How long is the river?
- We've been friends for a long time.
- She has long wanted to learn the guitar.
- It's a long way to the next petrol station.
- In the long run, sustainable investment pays off.
- He gave me a long, searching look.
- The report is long on criticism but short on solutions.
- They are taking an inordinately long time to reach a verdict.
- Her long-held ambition was finally realized.
- The novel long ago attained the status of a classic.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LONG looks like it stretches out, with the 'L' and 'G' as bookends.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS SPACE (e.g., a long day), DESIRE IS A PHYSICAL FORCE (e.g., longing for home).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'how long?' as 'как долго?' for physical length; use 'какой длины?'.
- Don't confuse 'long for' (desire) with 'long time' (duration).
- Be careful with 'long face' (idiom for sad) vs. literal translation.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'long' instead of 'tall' for people (e.g., 'He is very long' is incorrect).
- Overusing 'long time no see' in formal contexts.
- Incorrect: 'I am long here for an hour' (Correct: 'I have been here a long time').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'long' used as an adverb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically no. For people and standing objects, use 'tall'. 'Long' is for horizontal extent or duration.
They are largely synonymous. 'A long while' can sound slightly more old-fashioned or literary.
Primarily, yes. It is the gerund/participle noun (e.g., 'a longing for peace'). It can also be used adjectivally (e.g., 'a longing look').
Regular: longer, longest. For the adverb ('She stayed longer'), the adjective ('a longer rope'), and the verb ('I longed more intensely').
Collections
Part of a collection
Basic Adjectives
A1 · 46 words · Fundamental describing words used every day.