2long adverb
longer; longest 1 : for or during a long time : for many years, days, hours, etc.
▪ The extra food she brought did not last long. ▪ Will he be away (very) long? ▪ They'll have to wait a bit longer. ▪ The mall has long been a popular hangout for teenagers. ▪ They have long been devoted friends. ▪ It's been so long since we've seen each other. ▪ It's been much too long since we've seen each other. ▪ That meeting was way too long. ▪ She's been away so long. [=for such a long time] ▪ We had to leave long before we were ready to go. ▪ Long live the King/Queen! [=may the King/Queen live for many years] — sometimes used in combination ▪ her long-awaited new novel ▪ a long-anticipated announcement 2 : for a specified period of time
▪ The children played all day long. [=throughout the day] ▪ We talked all night long. ▪ all summer/week long 3 : at a time far before or after a specified moment or event
▪ events that occurred long before the discovery of America ▪ He remembered that day long after it had faded from her memory. ▪ The book wasn't published until long after she had died. ▪ He went to bed at 10 o'clock. Not long after/afterward, the phone rang. 4 : for a great distance
▪ The quarterback threw the ball long.
▪ The extra food she brought did not last long. ▪ Will he be away (very) long? ▪ They'll have to wait a bit longer. ▪ The mall has long been a popular hangout for teenagers. ▪ They have long been devoted friends. ▪ It's been so long since we've seen each other. ▪ It's been much too long since we've seen each other. ▪ That meeting was way too long. ▪ She's been away so long. [=for such a long time] ▪ We had to leave long before we were ready to go. ▪ Long live the King/Queen! [=may the King/Queen live for many years] — sometimes used in combination ▪ her long-awaited new novel ▪ a long-anticipated announcement
▪ The children played all day long. [=throughout the day] ▪ We talked all night long. ▪ all summer/week long
▪ events that occurred long before the discovery of America ▪ He remembered that day long after it had faded from her memory. ▪ The book wasn't published until long after she had died. ▪ He went to bed at 10 o'clock. Not long after/afterward, the phone rang.
▪ The quarterback threw the ball long.
as long as or so long as 1 : since
▪ As long as I'm here, we may as well begin. ▪ As long as you're up, would you mind getting me a drink? ▪ So long as you feel that way I'll leave. 2 : if
▪ I'll go with you as long as you'll drive. ▪ They can do anything they want, so long as they follow the rules. ▪ As long as she's allowed to go first, she's happy. 3 : during the time that : while
▪ The economy will remain strong as long as there are jobs to go around.
▪ As long as I'm here, we may as well begin. ▪ As long as you're up, would you mind getting me a drink? ▪ So long as you feel that way I'll leave.
▪ I'll go with you as long as you'll drive. ▪ They can do anything they want, so long as they follow the rules. ▪ As long as she's allowed to go first, she's happy.
▪ The economy will remain strong as long as there are jobs to go around.
be long
— used to ask how much time will be required or to say that something will take only a short amount of time or will happen soon ▪ “Will you be long?” “No, I'll be ready soon.” ▪ I'm going out now, but I won't be long. [=I will return soon] ▪ “Have you finished yet?” “No, but I won't be long.” [=I will finish soon] ▪ “Will you be much longer?” “No, I'm almost ready.” ▪ We've been waiting since morning, but it won't be long now. [=what we have been waiting for will happen/come soon] ▪ It can't be much longer before they give up. [=they will probably give up soon]
long ago
: at a time in the distant past
▪ events that happened long ago ▪ The announcement was made not long ago. [=the announcement was made recently] ▪ It wasn't so/very long ago that this place was empty field.
▪ events that happened long ago ▪ The announcement was made not long ago. [=the announcement was made recently] ▪ It wasn't so/very long ago that this place was empty field.
long gone
: having ended, died, disappeared, etc., at a distant time in the past
▪ Those buildings are long gone now.
▪ Those buildings are long gone now.
long since
: at a time in the distant past : long ago
▪ questions that have long since been answered [=questions that were answered long ago] ▪ an animal that has long since disappeared from this region ▪ I long since gave up trying to change her mind.
▪ questions that have long since been answered [=questions that were answered long ago] ▪ an animal that has long since disappeared from this region ▪ I long since gave up trying to change her mind.
no longer or not any longer
— used to say that something that was once true or possible is not now true or possible ▪ They could wait no longer. = They couldn't wait any longer. [=it was not possible for them to continue waiting] ▪ I can no longer afford the car. [=I could afford the car at some time in the past but I cannot afford it now]
so long
informal : 1goodbye
▪ So long (for now)! Have a safe journey home! ▪ She said so long to her friends and family and headed off to college. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ the time of year when we say so long to winter coats [=when we stop wearing winter coats]
▪ So long (for now)! Have a safe journey home! ▪ She said so long to her friends and family and headed off to college. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ the time of year when we say so long to winter coats [=when we stop wearing winter coats]
take long
: to require a large amount of time
▪ It won't take long to make dinner. ▪ This is taking longer than I thought (it would).
▪ It won't take long to make dinner. ▪ This is taking longer than I thought (it would).
