along

uh-LAWNG/əˈlɔŋ/UKuh-LONG/əˈlɒŋ/

4 meanings of along

1
lined besidepreposition
In a line following the length of something, or positioned lengthwise beside it.
A row of streetlights stretches along the canal.
Wildflowers bloomed along both sides of the country road.
Similarbeside, alongside
2
in companyadverb
In someone's company; accompanying another person or group.
He invited a few colleagues along to the dinner.
They brought the dog along on the camping trip.
UsageCommon with come, bring and take: come along, bring your brother along. To say who you go with, use along with: along with her.
3
traveling downpreposition
Moving forward on or beside the length of something, in the direction it extends.
The cyclists raced along the winding mountain road.
He guided the boat slowly along the narrow channel.
UsageAlong follows the length of something; for going from one side to the other, use across: walk along the road, walk across the road.
Similardown
4
onwardadverb
Onward or forward, with continuing motion or steady progress.
The renovation is coming along nicely this month.
She waved the backed-up traffic along with one hand.
UsageCommon in come along (make progress) and move along: the work is coming along nicely.
Similaron, onward, forward
Oppositeback, backward

Practice

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Origin

Old English "andlang," built from the prefix "and-" and "lang" ("long"), passed through Middle English to give this word, a doublet of "endlong."