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long-term

long-term

502 3.0
Lasting for a long time
  • adjective
  • /lɔŋ tɜrm/
translation icon : a largo plazo
  • The internal organ will be repaired, and so there shouldn't be any long-term damage.
  • long-term effects
  • long-term care
  • a long-term goal

It's going to be long term observational studies.

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Examples

  • A similar rift now would not be in the long-term interest of either country.

    Academic text (2011)
  • It's also very important to have both long term and short term goals.

  • This is how we create long term success.

  • Oil is mostly sold on long term contracts.

  • Or you don't create long term value that way.

  • There are many potential problems for the child with a long-term condition and its family.

    Academic text (2011)
  • We don't fully understand the long term impact of multiple injuries.

  • It temporarily hurts, but the long term benefits are really good.

  • Achieving the standards requires a long-term commitment and a sustained effort over many years.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Many experts agree that investing in education yields significant long-term benefits for society.

Synonyms

lengthy
vslong-term
109 3.5

Lasting a long time and making people bored

suggests excessive or tedious duration rather than neutral long period
long-time
vslong-term
108 3.2

Being in the same job, relationship, or role for many years

emphasises duration in a role rather than general relation or effect
persistent
vslong-term
82 4.9

Lasting for a long time and not stopping easily

adds sense of obstinacy or recurrence rather than neutral duration
prolonged
vslong-term
69 3.9

Continuing for a longer time than usual

implies excess length or undesirability rather than neutral duration
long-standing
vslong-term
45 4.1

Continuing for a long time

describes relation to a long period rather than mere duration
lasting
vslong-term
38 3.1

Continuing to be present or useful for a long time

relates to or affects a long period rather than simply continuing
long-lasting
vslong-term
27 3.7

To stay the same or work well for a long time

focuses on relation to a long period rather than stability
sustained
vslong-term
22 3.9

Lasting a long time without stopping or getting weaker

focuses on uninterrupted continuation rather than simple long relation
long-range
vslong-term
22 4.6

For plans or actions that reach far into the future

is about long periods in general, not specifically future planning
perennial
vslong-term
21 5.3

Continuing for a long time and often returning

stresses repeated occurrence rather than general relation to long time
long-lived
vslong-term
6 3.9

That lasts for a long time

refers to long duration in life or use rather than relation
long-run
vslong-term
6 4.2

Happening over a long time, not just now

is broader and covers long periods without emphasising future planning
enduring
vslong-term
1 4.2

Continuing for a long time without fading

emphasises continued presence rather than relation or future effect
continuing
vslong-term
2.8

Happening over a long time and not finished

often marks relation to a long period, not just ongoing action

Antonyms

225 3.3

Lasting only for a little time

How Long

permanent
650 3.2
lifelong
167 3.5
long-term
502 3.0
short-term
225 3.3
momentary
44 4.8

Surface Forms

long-term positive
longer-term comparative
longest-term superlative

Morphology

long-term = long + term (transparent) = long + term

The meaning 'lasting for a long period' follows directly from the parts 'long' + 'term' and is predictable for learners.

Etymology

Long-term comes from two common English words: long ('not short') and term ('a period of time'). So, long-term means something that lasts a long time.