longed-for

/ˈlɒŋd fɔː(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlɔːŋd fɔːr/ (ame, ipa)

longed-for — adjective

1. describes something that someone has wished for over a long period and feels ver

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes something that someone has wished for over a long period and feels very happy to finally get or experience

例句

The young scientist received the longed-for letter confirming her research grant.

attributive adjective before concrete noun (letter)

After months of treatment, the patient's longed-for recovery surprised even the doctors.

longed-for before abstract noun (recovery)

同義詞
  • long-awaited

    more common; can be used both before nouns and after linking verbs

  • much-anticipated

    strongly positive; often used for events like releases, performances, or announcements

  • eagerly awaited

    slightly more formal; focuses on the feeling of expectation rather than duration

反義詞
  • dreaded

    something people fear rather than desire

  • unwanted

    simply not desired, without the emotional weight of duration

文法句型

longed-for + noun

用法筆記

Only used before a noun (attributive position). Cannot be used after a linking verb — you would not say 'the moment was longed-for' in standard English; instead say 'the moment was long awaited' or restructure the sentence.

常見錯誤

❌The holiday was longed-for by everyone.
✅Everyone looked forward to the longed-for holiday.
💡'longed-for' is only used before a noun, not after a linking verb like 'was'.