length ‧ en /ˈleŋθ ə n/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
[ Word Family: adverb : ↑ lengthwise , lengthways; adjective : lengthening, ↑ lengthy ; verb : ↑ lengthen ; noun : ↑ length ]
to make something longer or to become longer OPP shorten :
Can you lengthen this skirt for me?
The days lengthened as summer approached.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say that something gets longer rather than lengthens :
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The days began to get longer.
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THESAURUS
▪ prolong to make something last longer:
The issue divided the country and prolonged the civil war.
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Successful treatment is prolonging people's lives.
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No one wants to prolong the violence.
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This would only prolong the unhappiness she felt.
▪ lengthen to make something last longer than the usual time:
They suggested lengthening the training period for new teachers.
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New security measures have lengthened the time passengers spend in airports.
▪ extend to make something that is coming to an end continue for a longer period of time – used especially about official arrangements such as ↑ contract s and ↑ visa s :
They agreed to extend his contract by a year.
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The offer has been extended for a further fourteen days.
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I applied to extend my visa.
▪ drag something out to make a situation or event last longer than necessary:
I wish they'd make a decision and not keep dragging it out.
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Each side accused the other of dragging out the negotiations.