Long time vs longtime

Both "long time" and "longtime" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Long time" is used when referring to a period of time, while "longtime" is used as an adjective before a noun to describe a person or thing that has been in a particular state or condition for a long time.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 1331 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to a period of time.

"Long time"

Use "long time" when you want to refer to a significant period of time. It is often used in sentences like "It's been a long time since we last met."

Examples:

It took a long time to finish the project.
I haven't seen her in a long time.
He has been waiting for a long time.
It's been a long time since we went on vacation.
They have known each other for a long time.

Show examples from the web [+]

Long time ago, when I was a young man.
Long time ago, Chinese men with gold-rush fever flooded into California.
Long time no see, Burke.
Long time no see, Ben.
Long time ago, this place used to be a library, so...
Long time ago when I was in school.
Long time ago, barbershops were hospitals
Long time ago, Earl of the West, Ernest Phantomhive moved to our nation and has gone by the name Genpou.
Long time ago there was this village
Long time no see, Toddy.
Long time no see, Northern-Kai.
Long time, no see, Junpei.
Long time no see, comrade Won Ryu Hwan.
Long time no see, Choi Yang Woo.
Long time, I have no man love me.
Long time no see, Morgan.
Long time no see, Mr. Linc.
Long time ago, when I was about to fail.
Long time no see, Joey Tai.
Long time no see, ladies and gentlemen of the Hunters Association.

Alternatives:

a considerable amount of time
a lengthy period
an extended period
a prolonged duration
a substantial length of time

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English as an adjective before a noun to describe something that has been in a particular state or condition for a long time.

"longtime"

Use "longtime" as an adjective before a noun to describe a person or thing that has been in a particular state or condition for a long time. For example, "She is a longtime friend of mine."

Examples:

He is a longtime employee of the company.
She has been a longtime supporter of the charity.
The longtime residents of the neighborhood were happy with the changes.
The longtime members of the club organized the event.
She is a longtime fan of the band.

Show examples from the web [+]

Clan MacKenzie welcomes our longtime friend and ally, his grace, the Duke of Sandringham.
Arnold, you know we take care of our longtime customers.
Charlie Mickelson, a longtime Darling family friend.
Meredith: The superintendent and his wife are longtime family friends.
We tried once a longtime ago.
Which... by the way, has been a longtime fantasy of mine.
He's closely followed by Peter O'Dell a longtime friend of Downing Street.
Also a longtime associate of the Burnham crime family.
Ravi Madhavan is a retired brigadier general and a longtime representative of the Indian government
One of them was a ground crew supervisor, longtime airport employee.
I'm a longtime fan. Okay.
This is Dave Arringdale who's actually been a longtime guest at Vivian's motel.
This follows news that his longtime personal assistant has been put to death.
So far the only information we have is that her longtime Nemesis Claire Meade was the sole witness.
And this is my longtime partner,
"ET" has just learned that longtime couple Spence and Peri Westmore are calling it quits.
Pierce's Chief Engineer and Front Man for, his longtime business partner Justin Ogilvy is the money and marketing guru.
Mr. Keen, longtime fan. I know you, man.
And the whisper was out that Billy Bayeh's sudden good fortune had also played nicely into the hands of his older brother, Lennie McPherson's longtime associate from Parramatta, Louis Bayeh.
I like to consider myself a longtime supporter of these "vigilantes," as they like to call it now.

Alternatives:

long-standing
long-established
longtime
long-term
enduring

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Long time vs longtime

"Long time"

"longtime"

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