stretch (strɛtʃ
)
Definitions
verb
- to draw out or extend or be drawn out or extended in length, area, etc
- to extend or be extended to an undue degree, esp so as to distort or lengthen permanently
- to extend (the limbs, body, etc)
- (tr) to reach or suspend (a rope, etc) from one place to another
- (tr) to draw tight; tighten
- often foll by out, forward, etc to reach or hold (out); extend
- (intr) usually foll by over to extend in time ⇒
the course stretched over three months
- (intr; foll by for, over, etc) (of a region, etc) to extend in length or area
- (intr) (esp of a garment) to be capable of expanding, as to a larger size ⇒
socks that will stretch
- (tr) to put a great strain upon or extend to the limit
- to injure (a muscle, tendon, ligament, etc) by means of a strain or sprain
- (tr) often foll by out to make do with (limited resources) ⇒
to stretch one's budget
- (tr) informal to expand or elaborate (a story, etc) beyond what is credible or acceptable ⇒
that's stretching it a bit
- (tr; often passive) to extend, as to the limit of one's abilities or talents
- archaic or slang to hang or be hanged by the neck
- See stretch a point
- See stretch one's legs
noun
- the act of stretching or state of being stretched
- a large or continuous expanse or distance ⇒
a stretch of water
- extent in time, length, area, etc
- capacity for being stretched, as in some garments
- ((as modifier) ⇒
stretch pants
- horse racing the section or sections of a racecourse that are straight, esp the final straight section leading to the finishing line
- slang a term of imprisonment
- See at a stretch
Alternative Forms
ˈstretchable adjective ˌstretchaˈbility noun Word Origin
Old English streccan; related to Old Frisian strekka, Old High German strecken; see straight, strake
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
=
pull,
distend,
pull out of shape
strain,
swell,
tighten,
rack,
inflate,
lengthen,
draw out,
elongate,
= put demands on put a strain on overextend
=
afford,
have enough money for
