verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˈlɛŋθən/
/ˈlɛŋkθən/
New-Jersey:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ɛŋkθən
CMU ARPABET:L EH1 NG TH AH0 N
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
CMU ARPABET 2:L EH1 NG K TH AH0 N
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
verb
Meaning 1
To make longer, to extend the length of.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
You need to lengthen the story if you want to have it published.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
verb
Meaning 2
To become longer.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
The shadows on the lawn lengthened as the sun began to set.