lengthy

[ lengk-thee, leng-, len- ]

adjective

, length·i·er, length·i·est.

1. having or being of great length; very long:

   a lengthy journey.

2. tediously verbose; very long; too long:

   a lengthy speech.

lengthy

/ ˈlɛŋθɪ; ˈlɛŋkθɪ /

adjective

1. of relatively great or tiresome extent or duration

Derived Forms

• ˈlengthiness, noun
• ˈlengthily, adverb

Other Words From

• lengthi·ly adverb
• lengthi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lengthy¹

An Americanism dating back to 1680–90; length + -y ¹

Example Sentences

The defendants are accused of making false diagnoses to transfer babies to 19 private hospitals, where they were allegedly kept in intensive care in neonatal units for lengthy, sometimes unnecessary treatments.

From BBC

But the singer, who quit the band in 1995, took issue with the assertions, posting a lengthy post on Instagram on Sunday.

From BBC

Every health board has endometriosis nurses to support patients, but Emily, who lives in the Hywel Dda health board region, said lengthy waits meant she had little option but to seek private care.

From BBC

“There will be no political messiah coming from the White House on high to save us,” he said last year in a lengthy speech laying out his plans.

From New York Times

The Justice Department that Gaetz wishes to lead never charged him after a lengthy investigation, but Gaetz's good friend pled guilty, getting 11 years in prison for his role.

From Salon

Related Words

• drawn-out
• interminable
• long
• long-winded
• protracted
• tedious