lengthen out
B2 neutral separable both
In simple words
To get longer or to make something longer, often slowly.
Literal meaning: To pull or allow something to extend outward in length.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
To gradually become longer, especially in reference to daylight hours or shadows.
"As spring arrives, the evenings begin to lengthen out and it stays light until eight."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 neutral
To make something longer in duration or extent.
"The editor asked her to lengthen out the final chapter with more detail."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Used both literally (days getting longer as summer approaches) and figuratively (a meeting or story that goes on longer than expected). Suggests a gradual process rather than a sudden change.
Commonly used with
days evenings shadows process story explanation
Forms
Base
lengthen out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
lengthens out
he/she/it
Past simple
lengthened out
yesterday
Past participle
lengthened out
have + pp
-ing form
lengthening out
continuous
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Synonyms
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