16 Other Ways to Say a Long Period of Time (With Examples)

You know how it feels when you are waiting for something to happen and it seems to take forever. Sometimes you want to use different words to describe that feeling of waiting. In this post, I will help you find other ways to say a long period of time.

16 Genius Ways to Say a Long Period of Time Like a Pro (With Examples)

For Ages

This is a very common phrase that people use when they want to talk about a stretch of time that feels much longer than it really is. You might use it when you are waiting for a friend at a park or a coffee shop. It sounds very natural and relaxed in a normal conversation. Most people will understand exactly what you mean when you say this. It is one of the best ways to speak casually.

I have not seen you for ages.
We waited for ages at the bus stop.
It took for ages to finish the work.
She has been living there for ages now.
They stayed at the party for ages tonight.
That movie felt like it lasted for ages.

For a While

If you want to describe a length of time that is not too short but not forever, this is the perfect choice for you. It is a very gentle and soft way to tell someone that something took some time to finish. You can use it in almost any situation without sounding too formal or too silly. It fits perfectly into your daily talk with family or friends. This phrase is very popular and quite helpful.

Please sit down and stay for a while.
He went away for a while to think.
I will be busy for a while today.
We should rest for a while near the tree.
It rained for a while during the morning.
They talked for a while about their new plan.

A Good While

When you add the word good to the phrase, it makes the time feel even longer than before. It suggests that a significant amount of time has passed since the start of an event. This is a very friendly way to speak. It shows that you are paying attention to how much time has gone by. You will hear many people use this when they are sharing a story about their past or a long journey.

I have been waiting here a good while.
It took a good while to cook dinner.
They stayed at the beach a good while.
We talked for a good while last night.
She has known him for a good while.
The car was parked there a good while.

Since Forever

Sometimes you feel like something has been happening since the very beginning of time itself. This is a fun and slightly dramatic way to say that a very long period has passed by. It is great for when you are talking about a long friendship or a habit you have had since you were a little kid. It makes your stories sound more interesting and exciting to the person who is listening to you speak.

I have known my best friend since forever.
That old tree has been there since forever.
It feels like we have been waiting since forever.
She has loved eating chocolate cake since forever.
They have lived in this small town since forever.
This song has been on the radio since forever.

For Eons

This word comes from science but people use it to be funny or to show that a time feels incredibly long. It is much stronger than just saying for ages. You use it when you want to emphasize that you are tired of waiting or that something is very old. It adds a bit of flavor to your speech and makes you sound like a very creative and expressive person while talking to others.

I have not been to the mall for eons.
It took for eons to get my food.
We have been standing in this line for eons.
That computer has not been turned on for eons.
It felt like for eons before the sun rose.
They have been working on that project for eons.

An Eternity

When you use this word, you are saying that the time felt like it would never ever end. It is a very strong way to describe a long period of time during a boring meeting or a long wait. Even though it is a big word, it is very easy to use in a sentence. It helps the other person understand that you felt very bored or perhaps a little bit impatient during the long wait.

Waiting for the doctor felt like an eternity today.
The silence in the room lasted for an eternity.
It took an eternity for the bus to come.
Ten minutes can feel like an eternity sometimes.
I waited an eternity for her to call back.
The long flight felt like an absolute eternity.

A Long Stretch

This is a great phrase to use when you are talking about a continuous block of time that went on and on. It is often used for work or for traveling on a very long road. It gives a clear picture of a long line of time that does not have any breaks in it. You can use it to describe a season or a part of your life that felt quite long to you.

We drove for a long stretch without stopping.
He worked a long stretch of night shifts.
It was a long stretch of hot weather.
They had a long stretch of winning games.
I stayed awake for a long stretch of time.
The road was just one long stretch of sand.

Many Moons

This is a very old and beautiful way to say that many months or years have passed. It sounds like something from a storybook or a very old tale. People use it today to be a little bit poetic or funny. It is a very easy way to tell someone that it has been a very long time since you last saw them or since something special happened in your life long ago.

I saw him many moons ago in town.
That happened many moons ago when I was young.
We traveled to that city many moons ago.
Many moons have passed since we last spoke.
She started that job many moons ago.
They bought that big house many moons ago.

Forever and a Day

This is a very sweet and cute way to say that something will last for a very long time. It adds a little bit extra to the word forever to show just how much you mean it. It is perfect for talking about love, friendship, or a promise that you want to keep. It makes the listener feel like you are being very sincere and very kind with your words and your deep feelings.

I will love you for forever and a day.
This project will take forever and a day.
We waited forever and a day for the rain.
They have been married for forever and a day.
It took forever and a day to get home.
I could stay here with you forever and a day.

For the Long Haul

When you use this phrase, you are saying that you are committed to something for a very long time. It is often used for jobs, relationships, or big projects that do not finish quickly. It shows that you are strong and that you are ready to stay until the very end. This is a very professional but easy way to speak about your future plans and your strong goals with other people around you.

We are in this together for the long haul.
He joined the team for the long haul.
They are planning to stay for the long haul.
I am committed to this for the long haul.
Saving money is a plan for the long haul.
This relationship is definitely for the long haul.

Donkey’s Years

This is a very funny and British way to say that a long period of time has gone by. It comes from the idea that donkeys live for a very long time. It is a very friendly and informal phrase to use with your close friends or your family members. It makes the conversation feel light and happy. You can use it when you are laughing about how old something is or how long a task took.

I have had this old car for donkey’s years.
We have been friends for donkey’s years now.
It has been donkey’s years since I ate cake.
She has worked at that school for donkey’s years.
They have lived in that house for donkey’s years.
I have not seen that movie for donkey’s years.

A Month of Sundays

This is another fun phrase that people use to describe a very long time. Since Sunday is usually a day for resting, a whole month of them would feel very slow and very long indeed. It is a very colorful way to speak. It helps you express that something feels like it is taking much longer than it should. It is a great way to add some variety to your daily vocabulary and your stories.

I have not been fishing in a month of Sundays.
It will take a month of Sundays to finish.
We have not seen them in a month of Sundays.
He has not cleaned his room in a month of Sundays.
It felt like a month of Sundays at the office.
I could wait for a month of Sundays for you.

Since the Year Dot

This is a very creative way to say that something has been around for a very long time or since the beginning. It is very easy to use and sounds quite interesting. It is perfect for talking about traditions, old buildings, or things that have never changed. It makes you sound like you have a very good sense of humor and that you enjoy using fun and different words when you are talking.

That rule has been there since the year dot.
He has known the secret since the year dot.
We have lived on this street since the year dot.
She has been a teacher since the year dot.
This shop has been open since the year dot.
They have been best friends since the year dot.

For Quite Some Time

If you want to sound a little more polite or formal, this is a very good phrase to use. it is still very easy to understand but it sounds a bit more serious than some of the other options. You can use it at work or when you are talking to someone you do not know very well. It is a safe and clear way to describe a long period of time without any confusion.

I have been thinking about this for quite some time.
She has been feeling ill for quite some time.
They have been working here for quite some time.
We have owned this car for quite some time.
It has been raining for quite some time now.
He has lived in London for quite some time.

A Coon’s Age

This is a very old fashioned way to say that it has been a very long time. It is not used as much as it used to be, but it is still a fun phrase to know. It is very informal and sounds very traditional. You might hear older people use this phrase when they are talking about the past. It is a very simple way to add some old charm to the way you speak every day.

I have not seen a movie in a coon’s age.
We have not visited the farm in a coon’s age.
It has been a coon’s age since we talked.
She has not baked a pie in a coon’s age.
They have been away for a coon’s age today.
I have not felt this happy in a coon’s age.

Time Out of Mind

This phrase is used to describe a time so long ago that nobody can remember when it started. it is very deep and sounds very important. You can use it when you are talking about history or things that have always been the same way. It is a very beautiful way to describe the passing of many years. It makes the listener think about the long history of the world and all the things in it.

They have lived in the valley time out of mind.
This tradition has existed since time out of mind.
The birds have nested there time out of mind.
Laws have been followed since time out of mind.
People have lived by the sea time out of mind.
Stories have been told since time out of mind.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed learning these fun and easy other ways to say a long period of time today. Using different words makes your talking much more interesting for everyone. You can pick the one that fits your mood the best. Whether you want to be funny or serious, there is a word here for you. Practice using them when you talk to your friends. It is a great way to improve how you share your thoughts and your feelings.