long word

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long word" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a word that has many letters or syllables, often in discussions about language or vocabulary. Example: "The term 'antidisestablishmentarianism' is often cited as one of the longest words in the English language, making it a classic example of a long word."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

I catch up with Kumar on a morning in early October, as he prepares to tour Long Word … Long Word … Blah Blah Blah … I'm So Clever around the UK, when it should provide yet greater food for thought.

Independent

"Dimethylpolysiloxane: it's a long word.

The Washington Post

But it would be a long word".

The Guardian - Books

Still, it is quite a long word.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

" 'Disprovable' is bland for such a long word".

The New York Times - Sports

Superposition, whatever short or long word you like to use.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

A long word-for-word account of what Mrs. Lehman said.

The New Yorker

A long word-for-word account of what the child said.

The New Yorker

In addition, timeout events occurred when checking for limit cycles, with digital filters that present long word-length for the fractional part representation (e.g., test case 11).

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

However, the verification time tends to be higher for high-order filters and long word-length formats, since those lead to harder VCs.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Using a very long word-length of 4,096 bits, i.e. ∼103 digits, results in a slowdown of a factor (f_{mathrm{s}} sim16) compared to 64 bits.

Computational Astrophysics and Cosmology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "long word", consider specifying the number of syllables or the context in which its length is relevant to improve clarity.

Common error

In scientific or academic writing, avoid the vague term "long word". Instead, use precise terms like 'polysyllabic' or specify the number of characters or syllables.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long word" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. Ludwig shows that it describes the characteristic of a word based on its length, often in relation to vocabulary or language complexity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

20%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "long word" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a word with many letters or syllables. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. While widely used in news, media, and academic settings, more precise terms like "polysyllabic" or "sesquipedalian" might be preferred in technical writing. When using the phrase "long word", consider specifying the relevant aspect of length or context to enhance clarity. Common errors include overuse in technical settings where greater precision is needed. Overall, "long word" is a versatile phrase for general descriptions of word length.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lengthy term

Emphasizes the length of the word more directly.

extended word

Similar to lengthy term, but may imply length in terms of meaning or origin.

multi-syllable word

Focuses specifically on the number of syllables.

complex word

Shifts the focus to the complexity of the word, not just its length.

sesquipedalian word

A more technical term for a very long word.

polysyllabic term

Similar to multi-syllable word, but more formal.

protracted word

Highlights the extended nature of the word.

elaborate term

Suggests the word is detailed or complex in its formation.

bulky word

Emphasizes the physical length or presence of the word.

extensive word

Similar to extended word, implying broad scope.

FAQs

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

You can use "long word" to generally describe a word with many letters or syllables. For example: "'Antidisestablishmentarianism' is a "long word" often used as an example of its kind."

What are some alternatives to saying "long word"?

Alternatives include "lengthy term", "multi-syllable word", or "complex word", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it better to use "long word" or a more specific term like "polysyllabic"?

While "long word" is acceptable in general conversation, using more precise terms like "polysyllabic" or "sesquipedalian" can improve clarity in formal or technical contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "long word" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "long word" in informal writing or conversation when a general description of a word's length is sufficient. In more formal settings, consider using a more precise term.