verb
to make something longer
The company lengthened the contract by one year.
Common phrases & grammar
lengthen a sentence · lengthen a skirt
American English
How to pronounce lengthen
verbB2
LEHNGthn
/ˈlɛŋ.θn̩/
2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
to make something longer
What to listen for
Lengthen can be pronounced with or without a /k/ sound: /ˈlɛŋ.θn̩/ or /ˈlɛŋk.θn̩/. Both pronunciations are correct.
Without /k//ˈlɛŋ.θn̩/
With /k//ˈlɛŋk.θn̩/
Meanings & examples
verb
to become longer
The days lengthen in spring.
Common phrases & grammar
days lengthen · shadows lengthen