long

Long is an English word used to indicate greater extent in length, time, or distance. As an adjective, it describes objects or periods that are not short, such as a long rope, a long journey, or a long day. It can also function as an adverb in phrases like "wait a long time." In idiomatic use, "the long and the short of it" contrasts different aspects of a matter.

Long derives from Old English lang, from Proto-Germanic *langaz, cognate with similar words in other Germanic languages. The form spread through the languages of the Anglophone and nearby regions and retains a basic sense of extended measurement or duration. Comparative forms are longer and longest.

In computing, long denotes a data type for integers that is larger than a standard int in many programming languages. In C and C++, long is a signed integer type with at least 32 bits; long long extends this further. Java defines long as a 64-bit signed integer. In SQL and some databases, the equivalent type is BIGINT. The term is often used to describe memory or file sizes and indices that exceed standard sizes.

In finance and investing, "going long" or taking a long position means ownership of an asset with the expectation that its value will rise. The opposite position is "short." The term is also used in other contexts to denote extended exposure or commitment over time.

Long is also a surname of English origin and a given name in some cultures; numerous people bear the name across many professions.