What does longish mean?
Longish is an informal adjective meaning that something is somewhat long, or longer than expected without being extremely long. It is useful when the exact length is unimportant but the duration or extent deserves mild comment: a longish journey, a longish delay, or a longish conversation. The word has a neutral, slightly understated tone, often softening a statement that might otherwise sound more critical. It can suggest a length that is noticeable but manageable, though in some contexts it may indicate mild annoyance or fatigue, as in “It was a longish wait.” The ending -ish makes the comparison approximate and conversational rather than formal or precise. Longish is widely understood in both British and American English, with especially frequent everyday use in British speech and writing.
adjectiveSomewhat or rather long; long to a moderate degree.
- Somewhat or moderately long.
"We took a longish walk before stopping for coffee."
"The presentation was rather longish, but the discussion was worthwhile."
"We have a longish drive ahead, so we should leave before the traffic gets heavy."
Longish captures that in-between stretch: long enough to notice, but not long enough to need a dramatic description.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does longish come from?
Longish is formed in English by adding the suffix -ish to long, a word inherited from Old English. The suffix creates an adjective meaning “somewhat” or “rather,” following a productive pattern also seen in forms such as reddish or childish. The related words longitude, prolong, prolongation, and elongation belong to the wider Latin family associated with longus, meaning “long,” and share the same etymological root.
How longish is actually used
Informal and conversational. It is especially common in British English, though it is also understood and used in American English.