What does longness mean?
Longness is a formal noun meaning the quality or degree of being long. It can refer to physical extent, as in the longness of a road or building, or to duration, as in the longness of a delay or conversation. The word is exact and grammatically straightforward, but it is much less common than “length,” which is normally preferred in contemporary English. Longness is therefore most likely to appear in literary, editorial, or deliberately formal writing, where its distinctive formation may add emphasis. Although it is readily understandable, using it can sound somewhat unusual or old-fashioned, so writers should generally choose “length” when simplicity and naturalness are priorities. Longness can also be used when comparing different degrees of duration or extent, although phrases such as “the sheer longness of” remain more idiomatic than the noun used by itself.
nounThe quality or degree of being long, especially in physical extent or duration.
- The quality or degree of being long in physical extent or duration.
"The longness of the journey began to tell on the passengers."
"The longness of the corridor made the building seem even larger."
"She grew impatient with the longness of the meeting."
The plural is grammatically correct but exceptionally uncommon.
"The longnesses of the two novels became a subject of discussion among critics."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of longness
“Longness” is formed within English from “long” and the Old English-derived suffix “-ness,” which creates nouns expressing a quality or condition. “Long” comes from Old English “lang,” a Germanic word related to forms in other Germanic languages. Its more familiar relative “length” also derives from the same Old English base, while cognates in languages such as German and Dutch refer similarly to extent or duration.
How longness is actually used
Relatively formal and uncommon in everyday speech. In most contexts, “length” is the more natural choice, especially when referring to physical extent or duration.
Easily confused with longness
Length is the conventional noun for the physical extent or duration of something, whereas longness is a less common, more formal equivalent.