How Do You Spell LENGTHEN?

Pronunciation: [lˈɛŋθən] (IPA)

The word "lengthen" is spelled with the letter combination "th" that represents the phoneme /ð/. This sound is voiceless in the word "length" and voiced in the word "lengthen." Additionally, the letter "e" represents the phoneme /e/ in the second syllable, making the pronunciation "LENG-thən" or /ˈlɛŋ.θən/. The spelling of "lengthen" follows the pattern of many English words that have silent letters and certain letter combinations that represent specific sounds.

LENGTHEN Meaning and Definition

  1. Lengthen is a transitive verb that refers to the act of making something longer or increasing its length. It typically involves extending an object or duration beyond its original size or time frame. The process of lengthening can be applied to physical objects, time periods, or abstract concepts.

    In the context of physical objects, lengthening involves altering the size or dimensions of an item to make it longer. This may entail adding or attaching additional parts to extend its overall length. For example, a tailor may lengthen a skirt by sewing in extra fabric or a carpenter may lengthen a table by attaching extension pieces.

    When referring to time periods, lengthening indicates the act of extending the duration of something. This could involve adding additional time to a meeting or event, delaying a deadline, or prolonging a conversation. By increasing the time frame, individuals are given more opportunities or resources to complete activities or make decisions.

    Lengthening can also be applied to abstract concepts, such as discussions or explanations. In this context, it implies expanding or elaborating on an idea, thereby providing more detail or in-depth analysis. This allows for a more comprehensive understanding of a topic or situation.

    Overall, lengthening involves stretching or elongating something to enhance its size, duration, or level of detail.

  2. To make longer; to draw out; to grow longer.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for LENGTHEN *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for LENGTHEN

Etymology of LENGTHEN

The word "lengthen" originated from the combination of two Middle English words: "length" and "-en".

The term "length" evolved from the Old English word "lengþu", which had the same meaning. It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "langithō", meaning "length" or "long".

The suffix "-en" is a common verb-forming element in English, used to indicate the action of making something longer. It comes from the Old English "-nian", which signifies "to cause to be".

Therefore, "lengthen" essentially means "to cause or make longer" and has retained its meaning and form throughout the centuries.

Idioms with the word LENGTHEN

  • lengthen out The idiom "lengthen out" means to extend, elongate, or prolong something, often referring to time or duration. It can also imply making something last longer or stretching out an event or activity.

Similar spelling words for LENGTHEN

Conjugate verb Lengthen

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have lengthened
you would have lengthened
he/she/it would have lengthened
we would have lengthened
they would have lengthened
I would have lengthen
you would have lengthen
he/she/it would have lengthen
we would have lengthen
they would have lengthen

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been lengthening
you would have been lengthening
he/she/it would have been lengthening
we would have been lengthening
they would have been lengthening

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would lengthen
you would lengthen
he/she/it would lengthen
we would lengthen
they would lengthen

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be lengthening
you would be lengthening
he/she/it would be lengthening
we would be lengthening
they would be lengthening

FUTURE

I will lengthen
you will lengthen
he/she/it will lengthen
we will lengthen
they will lengthen

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be lengthening
you will be lengthening
he/she/it will be lengthening
we will be lengthening
they will be lengthening

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have lengthened
you will have lengthened
he/she/it will have lengthened
we will have lengthened
they will have lengthened

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been lengthening
you will have been lengthening
he/she/it will have been lengthening
we will have been lengthening
they will have been lengthening

IMPERATIVE

you lengthen
we let´s lengthen

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to lengthen

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was lengthening
you were lengthening
he/she/it was lengthening
we were lengthening
they were lengthening

PAST PARTICIPLE

lengthened

PAST PERFECT

I had lengthened
you had lengthened
he/she/it had lengthened
we had lengthened
they had lengthened

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been lengthening
you had been lengthening
he/she/it had been lengthening
we had been lengthening
they had been lengthening

PRESENT

I lengthen
you lengthen
he/she/it lengthens
we lengthen
they lengthen

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am lengthening
you are lengthening
he/she/it is lengthening
we are lengthening
they are lengthening

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

lengthening

PRESENT PERFECT

I have lengthened
you have lengthened
he/she/it has lengthened
we have lengthened
they have lengthened

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been lengthening
you have been lengthening
he/she/it has been lengthening
we have been lengthening
they have been lengthening

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it lengthen

SIMPLE PAST

I lengthened
you lengthened
he/she/it lengthened
we lengthened
they lengthened

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