stretch

adjective

UK /stretʃ/

1
stretch cloth or clothing becomes wider or longer when you pull it and returns to its original shape and size when you stop pulling it
stretch fabric/lace/velvet
stretch jeans
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe cloth
be shot through with something
breathable
brushed
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe clothes
A-line
backless
baggy

stretch

adjective

US /stretʃ/

1
stretch cloth or clothing becomes wider or longer when you pull it and returns to its original shape and size when you stop pulling it
stretch fabric
stretch jeans
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe cloth
be shot through with something
breathable
brushed
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe clothes
A-line
backless
baggy

stretch

noun

UK /stretʃ/

Word Forms

singular	stretch
plural	stretches

1
countable a movement or exercise in which you make a part of your body as straight as possible so that your muscles become long and tight
First, let’s do some warm-up stretches.
Synonyms and related words
Physical exercise and exercises
aerobic
aerobics
aquarobics
2
uncountable the ability of a material or piece of clothing to become wider or longer when you pull it, and return to its original shape and size when you stop pulling it
a fabric that will keep its stretch indefinitely
Synonyms and related words
The ability to be bent, stretched or pressed
flexibility
give
resilience
3
countable a continuous period of time
stretch of:
You can’t learn it all in such a short stretch of time.
at a stretch (=continuously):
He’ll surf the Internet for anything up to six hours at a stretch.
Synonyms and related words
General periods of time
a clear run
a page in something’s history
block
1. 3a
  usually singularinformala period of time spent in prison
  do a stretch (for something):
  He’s doing a 15-year stretch in Pentonville for armed robbery.
  Synonyms and related words
  Spending time in prison
  behind bars
  captive
  captivity
4
countable an area of land or water
stretch of:
The village lay across a narrow stretch of water.
a deserted stretch of road
Synonyms and related words
General words for areas of water
body of water
channel
field
1. 4a
  usually singularthe straight last part of the track in a race
  the final/finishing/home stretch:
  The horses entered the final stretch shoulder to shoulder.
  Synonyms and related words
  Race tracks and parts of race tracks
  circuit
  course
  inside lane
5
an exaggeration
It would be a stretch to call this restaurant the best in the city.
Submitted by:
Boris Marchenko from Russian Federation on 05/11/2014
Open Dictionary - November2014

phrases

at full stretch

not by any/by no stretch of the imagination

stretch

noun

US /stretʃ/

Word Forms

singular	stretch
plural	stretches

1
countable an area of land or water
stretch of:
The opposite shore lay across a narrow stretch of water.
a deserted stretch of road
Synonyms and related words
General words for areas of water
body of water
channel
field
1. 1a
  usually singularthe straight last part of the track in a race
  the final/finishing/home stretch:
  The horses entered the final stretch shoulder to shoulder.
  Synonyms and related words
  Race tracks and parts of race tracks
  circuit
  course
  the home stretch
2
countable a continuous period of time
stretch of:
You can’t learn it all in such a short stretch of time.
at a stretch (=continuously):
He’ll surf the Internet for anything up to six hours at a stretch.
Synonyms and related words
General periods of time
a clear run
a page in something’s history
block
1. 2a
  usually singularinformala period of time spent in prison
  do a stretch (for something):
  He’s doing a 15-year stretch in Leavenworth for armed robbery.
  Synonyms and related words
  Spending time in prison
  behind bars
  captive
  captivity
3
countable a movement or exercise in which you make a part of your body as straight as possible so that your muscles become long and tight
He had a quick stretch and then rolled out of bed.
First, let’s do some warm-up stretches.
Synonyms and related words
Physical exercise and exercises
aerobic
aerobics
aquarobics
1. 3a
  uncountable the state of a muscle being stretched
  Bend from the waist until you feel the stretch along your upper arms.
  Synonyms and related words
  Relating to muscles and tendons
  cartilaginous
  contract
  motor
4
uncountable the ability of a material or piece of clothing to become wider or longer when you pull it, and return to its original shape and size when you stop pulling it
a fabric that will keep its stretch indefinitely
Synonyms and related words
The ability to be bent, stretched or pressed
flexibility
give
resilience
5
an exaggeration
It would be a stretch to call this restaurant the best in the city.
Submitted by:
Boris Marchenko from Russian Federation on 05/11/2014
Open Dictionary - November2014

phrases

at full stretch

not by any/by no stretch of the imagination

stretch

verb

UK /stretʃ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	stretch
he/she/it	stretches
present participle	stretching
past tense	stretched
past participle	stretched

1
transitive to pull something to make it longer or wider
I’ll have to get these shoes stretched.
Synonyms and related words
To change the length of something
lengthen
stretch
shorten
Synonyms and related words
To change the width of something
widen
stretch
open out
1. 1a
  intransitive to become longer or wider by pulling
  Her new knitted dress had stretched.
  Synonyms and related words
  To change the length of something
  lengthen
  stretch
  shorten
  Synonyms and related words
  To change the width of something
  widen
  stretch
  open out
2. 1b
  intransitive if a material such as cloth stretches, it becomes wider or longer when you pull it, and returns to its original shape and size when you stop pulling it
  When you’re pregnant it helps to wear fabrics that stretch as you grow.
  Synonyms and related words
  What clothing and cloth can do
  bag
  breathe
  bunch
2
transitive to pull something so that it becomes smooth, straight, and tight
a folding chair made of white canvas stretched on a metal frame
The little birds are caught in nets stretched between the trees.
Synonyms and related words
To move something by pulling
drag
heave
tear at
Synonyms and related words
To loosen or tighten
loosen
unwind
slacken
3
intransitive/transitive to make your arms, legs, or body as straight as possible so that your muscles become long and tight
I leaned back in the chair and stretched.
This exercise strengthens the lower back and stretches the hamstrings.
Synonyms and related words
To move your limbs and appendages
reach out
reach
kick
1. 3a
  
  stretch
  or
  stretch out
  transitive to move an arm or a leg away from your body in order to reach something
  He stretched his hand towards her.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move your limbs and appendages
  reach out
  reach
  kick
4
intransitive to continue for a particular distance
stretch into/from/to/for/across:
The empire stretched all the way from Scotland to the Pyrenees.
The beach stretches for miles in each direction.
Old grey houses stretched into the distance.
stretch as far as the eye can see:
The traffic stretched as far as the eye could see.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe length
abbreviated
as long as your arm
attenuated
1. 4a
  to continue for a particular period of time
  stretch to/into/over/beyond/back:
  Paul’s initial two months’ work experience ultimately stretched to five.
  Negotiations had now stretched into a twelfth day.
  They had an unbeaten record stretching back to 1995.
  Synonyms and related words
  To continue for a particular amount of time
  last
  extend
  go back
5
intransitive usually in negativesto have enough money to pay for something
stretch to:
I don’t really think my salary will stretch to a designer suit.
Synonyms and related words
To have just enough money
afford
eke out
subsist
6
transitive to use all the money, supplies, or time available
At best, police resources are stretched.
stretch something to the limit:
Medical services were stretched to the limit.
Synonyms and related words
To use all or a lot of something
use up
run out
eat into
7
transitive to make someone use all their intelligence or ability, especially in a way that is interesting or enjoyable
I don’t think his job really stretches him sufficiently.
Synonyms and related words
To make someone work hard
work
drive
push
8
transitive to no longer be reasonable
stretch (someone’s) credulity/patience etc:
Foreman’s book has a plot that stretches credulity to the utmost.
Synonyms and related words
To be, or to become crazy or stupid
be/go out of your mind
lose the plot
take leave of your senses
9
transitive to allow something that is usually not allowed because of a special situation
We might be prepared to stretch the rules a little in this instance.
stretch a point (=allow something that is not usually allowed):
Couldn’t you stretch a point for a friend?
Synonyms and related words
To allow something that is not usually allowed
excuse
exempt
stretch

phrases

be stretching something

stretch your legs

phrasal verbs

stretch out

stretch

verb

US /stretʃ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	stretch
he/she/it	stretches
present participle	stretching
past tense	stretched
past participle	stretched

1
transitive to pull something to make it longer or wider
I’ll have to get these shoes stretched.
Synonyms and related words
To change the length of something
lengthen
stretch
shorten
Synonyms and related words
To change the width of something
widen
stretch
open out
1. 1a
  intransitive to become longer or wider by pulling
  Her new knit dress had stretched.
  Synonyms and related words
  To change the length of something
  lengthen
  stretch
  shorten
  Synonyms and related words
  To change the width of something
  widen
  stretch
  open out
2. 1b
  intransitive if a material such as cloth stretches, it becomes wider or longer when you pull it, and returns to its original shape and size when you stop pulling it
  When you’re pregnant it helps to wear fabrics that stretch as you grow.
  Synonyms and related words
  What clothing and cloth can do
  bag
  breathe
  bunch
2
transitive to pull something so that it becomes smooth, straight, and tight
a folding chair made of canvas stretched on a metal frame
The little birds are caught in nets stretched between the trees.
Synonyms and related words
To move something by pulling
drag
heave
tear at
Synonyms and related words
To loosen or tighten
loosen
unloose
unwind
3
intransitive/transitive to make your arms, legs, or body as straight as possible so that your muscles become long and tight
I leaned back in the chair and stretched.
This exercise strengthens the lower back and stretches the hamstrings.
Synonyms and related words
To move your limbs and appendages
spread
fold your arms/hands
bend
1. 3a
  
  stretch
  or
  stretch out
  transitive to move an arm or a leg away from your body in order to reach something
  He stretched his hand toward her.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move your limbs and appendages
  spread
  fold your arms/hands
  bend
4
intransitive to continue for a particular distance
stretch into/from/to/for/across:
The empire stretched all the way from Scotland to the Pyrenees.
Old gray houses stretched into the distance.
The beach stretches for miles in each direction.
stretch as far as the eye can see:
The traffic stretched as far as the eye could see.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe length
abbreviated
as long as your arm
attenuated
1. 4a
  to continue for a particular period of time
  stretch to/into/over/beyond/back:
  Paul joined the company on a one-month contract that ultimately stretched to five.
  They had an unbeaten record stretching back to 1995.
  Negotiations had now stretched into a twelfth day.
  Synonyms and related words
  To continue for a particular amount of time
  last
  extend
  go back
5
intransitive usually in negativesto have enough money to pay for something
stretch to:
I don’t really think my salary will stretch to a tailor-made suit.
Synonyms and related words
To have just enough money
afford
eke out
subsist
6
transitive to use all the money, supplies, or time available
At best, police resources are stretched.
stretch something to the limit:
City funds were stretched to the limit.
Synonyms and related words
To use all or a lot of something
use up
run out
eat into
7
transitive to no longer be reasonable
stretch (someone’s) credulity/patience etc.:
Foreman’s book has a plot that stretches credulity to the utmost.
Synonyms and related words
To be, or to become crazy or stupid
be/go out of your mind
take leave of your senses
go mad
8
transitive to make someone use all their intelligence or ability, especially in a way that is interesting or enjoyable
I don’t think his job really stretches him sufficiently.
Synonyms and related words
To make someone work hard
work
drive
push
9
transitive to allow something that is usually not allowed because of a special situation
We might be prepared to stretch the rules a little in this case.
Synonyms and related words
To allow something that is not usually allowed
excuse
exempt
stretch

phrases

be stretching something

stretch your legs

phrasal verbs

stretch out

stretch

stretch

stretch ​‌‌

stretch ​‌‌

stretch ​‌‌‌

stretch

stretch out

stretch ​‌‌‌

stretch

stretch out

stretch

stretch

stretch

stretch