long2 S1 W1
for a long time:
Have you been waiting long?
Reform of the law is long overdue.
long established traditions
used to ask and talk about particular amounts of time:
How long will it take to get there?
Try to keep going for as long as possible.
It took me longer than I thought it would.
at a time that is a long time before or after a particular time
long before/after something
This all happened long before you were born.
He should have left her long ago.
It wasn't long before (=soon) Lisa arrived.
4 [usually in questions and negatives]
for a long time:
Have you known them for long?
I haven't seen her for so long that I've forgotten what she looks like.
used to say that one thing can happen or be true only if another thing happens or is true:
You can go out to play as long as you stay in the back yard.
used to say that one thing will continue to happen or be true if another thing happens or is true at the same time:
As long as we keep playing well, we'll keep winning games.
used to talk about something continuing for the amount of time that you want, need, or is possible:
You can stay for as long as you want.
She tried to stay awake for as long as she could.
The fruit should be left on the tree as long as possible.
used when something used to happen or be true in the past but does not happen or is not true now:
The extra workers won't be needed any longer.
It's no longer a secret.
soon or in a short time:
Before long a large crowd had gathered outside the building.
It's likely that the law will be abolished before long.
used to say that someone or something will be ready, will be back, will happen etc soon:
Wait here - I won't be long.
Dinner won't be long.
during all of the day etc
11 spoken especially American English
used to show support for a person, idea, principle, or nation:
Long live the King!