lengthening

/ˈleŋ.θən/ (bre, ipa) · [lˈɛŋθənɪŋ] /ˈleŋ.θən/ (ame, ipa) · [lˈɛŋθənɪŋ] /ˈleŋ(k)-thən ˈlen(t)-/ (ame, mw)

lengthening — verb

  • lengtheningpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • lengthenings3rd person singular
  • lengtheninging-ing form
  • lengtheningedpast simple

1. to add to the physical length or measurement of something, or to increase in siz

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to add to the physical length or measurement of something, or to increase in size so that something measures more from end to end — for example, extending a garment or watching a line of people grow

例句

The tailor lengthened Hannah's skirt by adding a strip of dark fabric at the hem.

lengthen + object (clothing)

As spring arrives, the days lengthen and the evenings stay bright until nearly eight o'clock.

intransitive: days lengthen

同義詞
  • extend

    more common and can apply to both length and time; 'extend' is broader

  • stretch

    suggests pulling something flexible to make it longer, often with force implied

  • elongate

    more technical or formal; used in scientific contexts

反義詞
  • shorten

    direct opposite; to make physically shorter

文法句型

lengthen + object (make physically longer)

lengthen (become physically longer)

用法筆記

Frequently used in weather and seasonal contexts (days lengthen, shadows lengthen) where the intransitive form describes a natural process.

常見錯誤

❌I lengthened my stay at the hotel by three days' (when referring to time, use sense 2).
✅I lengthened the rope by tying on an extra piece.
💡sense 1 is for physical length; sense 2 is for duration.

2. to cause an event, activity, or waiting period to take more time, or to become l

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to cause an event, activity, or waiting period to take more time, or to become longer in duration — for example, making a meeting last longer or having a recovery period stretch out

例句

The professor's lecture was lengthened by fifteen minutes because students asked so many questions.

passive: was lengthened by [time]

Adding too much water will lengthen the soup's cooking time by at least twenty minutes.

lengthen + [time period]

同義詞
  • extend

    more commonly used for time and more natural in everyday speech

  • prolong

    suggests making something last longer than necessary or desirable

  • draw out

    informal phrasal verb; emphasises that the process feels slow

反義詞
  • shorten

    direct opposite in time contexts

  • cut

    informal; suggests reducing time deliberately

文法句型

lengthen + object (time period)

lengthen (become longer in time)

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense refers to duration in time, not physical measurement. Common objects include meeting, stay, period, wait, process.

常見錯誤

❌The road lengthens after the bridge' (physical sense needed).
✅The meeting lengthened by an hour.
💡use sense 2 only for time duration.