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stretch

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verb British English pronunciation: stretch /stretʃ/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theystretch
he/she/itstretches
present participlestretching
past tensestretched
past participlestretched
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [transitive] to pull something to make it longer or wider

    I'll have to get these shoes stretched.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stretch
    1. a.
      [intransitive] to become longer or wider by pulling

      Her new knitted dress had stretched.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stretch
    2. b.
      [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.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stretch
  2. 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.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stretch
  3. 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.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stretch
    1. a.

      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.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stretch
  4. 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.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stretch
    1. a.
      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.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stretch
  5. 5
    [intransitive] [usually in negatives] to have enough money to pay for something
    stretch to:

    I don't really think my salary will stretch to a designer suit.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stretch
  6. 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.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stretch
  8. 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.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stretch
  9. 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?

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stretch

phrases

phrasal verbs

This is the British English definition of stretch. View American English definition of stretch.

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