livelong

[ liv-lawng, -long ]

adjective

1. (of time) whole or entire, especially when tediously long, slow in passing, etc.:

   We picked apples the livelong day.

livelong

/ ˈlɪvˌlɒŋ /

adjective

1. (of time) long or seemingly long, esp in a tedious way (esp in the phrase all the livelong day )
2. whole; entire

noun

1. another name for orpine

Word History and Origins

Origin of livelong¹

1350–1400; alteration (by association with live ¹ ) of earlier leeve long, Middle English leve longe dear long. See lief, long ¹

Example Sentences

How dreary to be somebody / How public, like a frog / To tell your name the livelong day / To an admiring bog.

From Washington Post

“Do you know we have been together the whole livelong day, Robert—since early this morning?” she said at parting.

From Literature

She will stay in that bed the livelong day.

From Literature

Suffice it to say that it doesn’t exactly boost morale to be greeted by an endless string of indignant, agonised, horror-movie-outtake variations on “How did you get this number?” all the livelong day.

From The Guardian

Phil is livelong, including a stint as a principal guest conductor in the 1980s.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• constant
• continuing
• deep-rooted
• enduring
• inveterate
• long-lasting
• permanent
• persistent