lengthways

Everyday

Lengthways means in the direction of the longest side of something, from end to end, not across. tree →

In the lessons

In maths and cooking: fold a piece of paper lengthways (along the long side, making a long thin shape); cut a carrot or a banana lengthways (into long strips); a rectangle cut in half lengthways makes two long thin rectangles. In maths problems, lengthways tells which side you fold or cut along, which changes the sizes of the pieces. Phrases: «fold lengthways», «cut lengthways», «lie lengthways».

Examples

• Fold the paper in half lengthways. tree →
• Cut the cucumber lengthways into strips. tree →
• The table fits lengthways along the wall. tree →
• The bus was parked lengthways across the road. tree →
• If you fold an A4 sheet lengthways, the halves are long and thin. tree →
• Slice the banana lengthways for the banana split. tree →
• The log lay lengthways in the river. tree →

Note

«Lengthways» is more common in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand; «lengthwise» is more common in the US. The opposite is «widthways» or «crossways» (across the short side). Folding a rectangle in half lengthways halves its width, but keeps its length.