length

Use the word "length" to describe how long something is. This word is a noun:

• Vanessa doesn’t like the length of her hair. She thinks it’s too short.
• The tablecloth stretches across the length of the table. (It’s as long as the table.)
• The length of the boat is 30 feet.
• The length of the trip was 400 miles.

He prefers the length of his hair and his beard. He doesn’t want to look clean-shaven.

When used as a noun, "length" can also mean extent or degree:

• He’ll go to any length to become successful.
• The lengths to which she has gone to become a gymnast have amazed everyone.
• Jorge says he’ll go to any length to learn English well.

The adjective form of this word is "lengthy."

• The teacher demanded a lengthy research paper from each student.
• This book is too lengthy for me to finish it.
• If a movie is too lengthy, some people will leave the movie theater early.
• Her speech was way too lengthy.
• Your sentences are too lengthy. Make them shorter.

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August 1, 2013