long-ago

1 of 2

adjective

ˈlȯŋ-ə-ˈgō How to pronounce long-ago (audio)
Synonyms of long-agonext
: of or relating to the past
long-ago leaders

long ago

2 of 2

noun

: the distant past

Examples of long-ago in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Many, so so many, historical novels seek to tie a contemporary protagonist to a long-ago event or story; so so many fail to make the connections mean anything. — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026 The Villa Balbi, a palazzo hotel, still flies the flag of the Republic of Genoa, where its long-ago owners, the aristocratic Brignoles and Balbis, flourished and generated a number of the city’s doges. — Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Noun
Recent observations have suggested that this extreme world may retain an atmosphere despite temperatures that should have stripped lighter gases away long ago. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026 The Collective Bargaining Agreement banned two-a-days long ago. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for long-ago

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1603, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of long-ago was in 1603

Rhymes for long-ago

See All Rhymes for long-ago

Browse Nearby Words

longaeval
long-ago
long ago
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Long-ago.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/long-ago. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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