lengthen

From length +‎ -en.

• IPA^(key): /ˈlɛŋ(k)θən/

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• Rhymes: -ɛŋkθən

lengthen (third-person singular simple present lengthens, present participle lengthening, simple past and past participle lengthened)

1. (transitive) To make longer, to extend the length of.

   You need to lengthen the story if you want to have it published.

   • 1950 September, “Central London Railway Jubilee”, in Railway Magazine, page 622:

     The platforms of all stations from Shepherds Bush to Liverpool Street have been lengthened from 325 ft. to 427 ft. between tunnel headwalls, to take longer trains.

2. (intransitive) To become longer.

   The shadows on the lawn lengthened as the sun began to set.

• shorten