Protracted
/prəˈtræktɪd/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Protracted describes events or situations that continue for a long time, usually longer than people want or expect. It often refers to processes, discussions, or problems that take more time than planned.
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See It in Action
Lasting for a long time, especially longer than expected
- •The negotiations were protracted and took several months.
- •They suffered through a protracted legal battle.
- •The protracted drought caused many problems for farmers.
Extended in time with difficulty or delay
- •A protracted illness can be very tiring for patients.
- •The protracted discussion finally ended late at night.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "protracted" like "long" (A1 word), but it means very long and often feels too long or slow.
- ✓Picture a meeting or a story that goes on and on, making you feel tired or bored.
- ✓It's the feeling when a wait or problem seems to never end, and you want it to be over.
- ✓Sounds like "pro-TRACT-ed" → imagine someone pulling (tract means pull) time out longer and longer, like stretching a rubber band.
- ✓Think of a long movie or a slow conversation that makes you check the clock often.
- ✓NOT like "short" (quick and fast), "protracted" means the opposite—very long in time.
- ✓NOT like "long" in a happy way (like a long holiday), "protracted" often feels slow and frustrating.
- ✓NOT like "quick" or "fast"—protracted means slow and lasting a long time.
Try Other Words
- •Extended: lasting longer than usual (Use when you want to say something is longer but not necessarily frustrating)
- •Lengthy: very long in time (Use for formal or neutral situations about duration)
- •Drawn-out: lasting too long and causing boredom or frustration (Use when emphasizing the negative feeling about time)
- •Long-lasting: continuing for a long time (Use for positive or neutral situations)
Unboxing
- •Prefix "pro-" means "forward" or "forth"
- •Root "tract" comes from Latin meaning "to pull" or "drag"
- •Suffix "-ed" shows it is an adjective describing something that has been pulled out or stretched
- •From Latin "protractus," meaning "drawn out" or "extended"
- •Historically used to describe events or processes that are longer than usual or needed
- •Today, used especially in formal or written English to describe long, slow, or difficult durations
Reflect & Connect
•Can a protracted event ever be positive, or is it always frustrating? Why?
•How do you feel when something in your life becomes protracted? Can you think of examples?
Fill in the blanks
1.The meeting was protracted because the participants could not ___ an agreement quickly.
2.A protracted illness often requires ___ medical care and patience.
3.Unlike a quick chat, a protracted discussion can make people feel ___ or tired.
4.The negotiations were ___ because both sides wanted more time to decide.
5.When a problem is protracted, it usually causes ___ and delays.
6.Protracted conflicts often ___ the resources and energy of everyone involved.
7.Unlike a short visit, a protracted stay means you will be there for a ___ time.