measuring a great distance from one end to the other
The long bridge stretched across the wide river.
She has long hair that reaches her waist.
lasting a great amount of time
We had a long meeting that lasted all afternoon.
The movie felt too long for the children.
continuing for a great amount of time, not short in duration
We had a long meeting that lasted three hours.
After a long day at work, he was exhausted.
for a long time
Don’t stay long; we have to leave soon.
How long did you wait for the bus?
for a great amount of time
I can’t stay long; I have to catch a bus.
Has she been waiting long?
to want something very much, especially something you cannot have right away
After months at sea, the sailors long for home.
She long to see her family again.
to want something very much
He longs for a holiday by the sea.
She longed to hear his voice again.
a market position in which an investor buys a stock or commodity expecting the price to rise
He took a long in gold futures before the price jumped.
The trader closed her long and locked in profits.
(finance) a position or investor that benefits if the price of a security rises
The trader’s long in gold paid off when prices jumped.
He closed his long after the stock hit a record high.
forward or further on in space or time
The train moved smoothly along as passengers chatted.
Spring is moving along, and the days are getting warmer.
✦ Same origin as the prepositional form, later used adverbially to mean ‘onward’.
to be in the place where it should be, or where it looks right
Those dirty shoes don't belong on the kitchen table.
This painting belongs in a museum, not in a dusty attic.
