Words / B1

long-TURM/ˌlɒŋ ˈtɜːm/

Long-term means lasting or planned for a long time: a long-term contract; long-term effects; long-term unemployed. Short-term is the opposite. Lasting is everyday. Use a hyphen in the adjective (a long-term plan). In the long term is a phrase with an article. Do not write “long term plan” without the hyphen when it sits before a noun.

Meaning

Lasting for, or looking ahead to, a long period of time.

Examples

• “The contract is a long-term post, not a six-month cover role.”
• “The drug’s long-term effects are still being monitored.”
• “In the long term, moving the warehouse north will cut costs.”

Good to know

a long-term + noun (hyphen). Phrase: in the long term. Opposite: short-term. Before a noun, keep the hyphen.

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