Lengthy

Lengthy is an adjective used to describe something that lasts a long time or extends over a considerable distance or amount. In practice, it most often appears with references to duration—such as a lengthy meeting or a lengthy speech—as well as to written works or documents that are longer than typical.

Etymology: The word derives from length, with the suffix -y forming an adjective. It entered English in the early modern period and shares its root with related terms such as length. The form emphasizes duration or extent rather than mere size.

Usage and nuance: Lengthy often carries a mildly subjective tone, implying that the duration is more than acceptable or expected. It is common in journalism, academic, and business writing. When precision is needed, terms like protracted or extended may be preferable. It can describe both time-based length (a lengthy process) and content-based length (a lengthy novel or report).

Common contexts and collocations include lengthy discussion, lengthy process, lengthy report, lengthy speech, lengthy itinerary, and lengthy essay. While typically neutral, the word can imply tedium if used in a negative context, though it does not inherently condemn the subject.

See also: Protracted, extended, long, tedious. These related terms provide alternatives depending on whether emphasis is on duration, size, or perceived effort required.