a long weekend

USAGE SUMMARY

"a long weekend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a weekend with more than two days, such as Friday to Monday, or when referring to the desire to have such a weekend. Example sentence: I'm looking forward to a long weekend so I can get some much-needed rest.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thus began a long weekend.

The Guardian - Film

It'd create a long weekend (Thursday-Saturday).

The New York Times

Hard to beat for a long weekend.

The Guardian - Travel

It had been a long weekend.

The New York Times

Us? We'd moved in for a long weekend.

The New York Times - Travel

We're thinking about a long weekend in the Southeast.

The New York Times

Sometimes a long weekend isn't all that restful.

The New Yorker

Together, but not too together, for a long weekend.

The Guardian - Travel

At times, though, it may take a long weekend.

The New Yorker

A long weekend (Friday-Monday) costs £1,000.

The Guardian - Travel

In all, the boys have a long weekend to fill.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a long weekend" to promote relaxing activities or breaks from routine, as it suggests a brief but significant opportunity for rest and rejuvenation.

Common error

While widely accepted, "a long weekend" may sound too casual for formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise language, such as "an extended leave" or "a multi-day recess" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long weekend" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable and correct. For instance, one might say, "I'm planning a long weekend getaway."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Travel

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a long weekend" is a common and correct noun phrase referring to an extended weekend, typically including a Friday or Monday. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's widely used across News & Media, Travel, and Lifestyle contexts, indicating a neutral register. While it is generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "extended leave" in academic or professional settings. Use "a long weekend" to invite your readers for relaxing activities or breaks from routine, as it suggests a brief but significant opportunity for rest and rejuvenation. Be mindful of overuse in highly formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extended weekend

Emphasizes the duration of the weekend being longer than usual.

three-day weekend

Specifically indicates a weekend lasting three days.

holiday weekend

Highlights that the extended weekend is due to a public holiday.

extra-long weekend

Stresses the exceptional length of the weekend.

bank holiday weekend

Commonly used in the UK to refer to a long weekend that includes a bank holiday.

four-day weekend

Specifies a weekend spanning four days, often including two weekdays.

long break

A more general term for an extended period of time off.

extended leave

Focuses on the permission or allowance to be away from work or duties for an extended period.

short vacation

Implies a brief period of leisure and recreation, similar in length to a long weekend.

leisurely days

Highlights the relaxed and unhurried nature of the extended time off.

FAQs

What is the definition of "a long weekend"?

"A long weekend" refers to a weekend that is extended beyond the typical Saturday and Sunday, usually by including either the Friday before or the Monday after, creating a three-day break.

What are some alternative phrases for "a long weekend"?

You can use alternatives like "extended weekend", "three-day weekend", or "holiday weekend" depending on the context.

How can I use "a long weekend" in a sentence?

Example sentences: "We're planning a trip for "a long weekend" in October." or "I'm looking forward to "a long weekend" to catch up on some rest."

Is it appropriate to use "a long weekend" in formal writing?

While "a long weekend" is generally acceptable, it might be considered too casual for highly formal or academic contexts. In those cases, consider using more formal alternatives like "extended leave" or "multi-day recess".