Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

lengthen

/ˈlɛŋθən/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.81 in modern English

Syllables: length-en
IPA: /ˈlɛŋθən/

12

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To make longer, to extend the length of.

Transitive verb

verb

To become longer.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"You need to lengthen the story if you want to have it published."
"The platforms of all stations from Shepherds Bush to Liverpool Street have been lengthened from 325 ft. to 427 ft. between tunnel headwalls, to take longer trains."
"The shadows on the lawn lengthened as the sun began to set."

Etymology

From length + -en.

Usage

Inflected Forms

lengthens (present, singular) lengthening (participle, present) lengthened (participle, past) lengthened (past)

Derived Forms

enlengthen lengthenable lengthened lengthener overlengthen relengthen underlengthen

Phrases

compensatorily lengthen lengthen down lengthened grade lengthen out lengthen up

Frequently Paired Words

extrude enwiden widen

Synonyms

elongate draw out enlengthen extend lengthen produce prolong protract stretch

Antonyms

shorten abbreviate abridge amputate breviate clip

Rhymes With

strengthen

Questions

How do you pronounce lengthen?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈlɛŋθən/.
What does lengthen mean?: To make longer, to extend the length of.
Where does lengthen come from?: From length + -en.

How to pronounce lengthen

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “lengthen”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈlɛŋθən/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “lengthen”.
Repeat and practice — Say “lengthen” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.