Length Meaning
/lɛŋ(k)θ/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe distance measured along the longest dimension of an object.
nounDuration.
Sentence Examples
The local school board would go to any length to ban that book.
The length of the article is not to exceed 1000 words.
Measure the length of the line from A to B.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The overall ____ of the wooden table is exactly two meters long.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ of the table was perfect for the small dining room, and it could easily seat six people for dinner.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English lengthe, from Old English lengþ, lengþu, from Proto-West Germanic *langiþu, from Proto-Germanic *langiþō, equivalent to long + -th (abstract nominal suffix). Cognate with Scots lenth, lainth (“length”), Saterland Frisian Loangte (“length”), West Frisian lingte, langte (“length”), Dutch lengte (“length”), German Low German Längde, Längd, Längte, Längt (“length”), Danish længde (“length”), Swedish längd (“length”), Icelandic lengd (“length”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length."
— 1941, Robert Frost, The Gift Outright:
"[…] open your book of the play, which you have previously carefully perused, and at the same time marked with the proper calls, as thus: a length (or 42 lines) before an entrance, with a pen make a figure on the margin, […]"
— 1890, Henry Austin, Address of Henry Austin Before the Second Nationalist Club, page 38:
"The boy was engaged to write out parts at a penny a length (42 lines) for Chetwood, who then charged the manager, […]"
— 1960, J. L. Hodgkinson, Rex Pogson, The Early Manchester Theatre, page 45:
"An artificial bid doesn't necessarily show length in the suit being bid, it has an altogether different meaning."
— 1999, Edwin B. Kantar, Eddie Kantar Teaches Advanced Bridge Defense, page 191:
"Was never man such favour could off atall ladies fynde, To cause them lengthe or shorte the day which they to hym assynde."
— 1552, Richard Huloet, “Ladies of Destinie”, in Abecedarium Anglico-Latinum:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The overall ____ of the wooden table is exactly two meters long.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ of the table was perfect for the small dining room, and it could easily seat six people for dinner.