prolonged
/prəˈlɒŋd/adjective★Intermediate
general
lasting or continuing for a long time
The doctor recommended a prolonged rest period for recovery.
The doctor suggested taking a long rest to heal properly.
The prolonged silence made everyone uncomfortable.
The long period of silence made everyone feel uneasy.
💡
Often used to describe something that continues beyond the usual or expected duration.
Collocations
prolonged exposurebeing exposed to something for a long timeprolonged illnessa sickness that lasts a long timeprolonged silencea long period without speaking
Synonyms
Antonyms
💡Pro Tip
Common Usage
Use 'prolonged' to describe something that lasts longer than expected or usual, often in formal or serious contexts.
📖Word Origin
From Middle English prolongen, from Old French prolonger, from Latin prolongare (to lengthen), from pro- (forward) + longus (long).
📝Usage Notes
Can be used in both formal and informal contexts, often to emphasize the duration of something beyond what is usual or expected.
Word Breakdown
pro-
forward
prefix-long-
long
root-ed
past participle
suffixEnglish Dictionary