26+ Other Ways to Say “a Long Time” (with 90+ Examples)

There are so many ways to talk about waiting for a long time. Sometimes it feels like forever, right? I know it can be tough to find just the right words to explain that feeling of waiting. That's why I'm here to help you discover some cool new phrases. You'll be sounding like a pro in no time.

Other Ways to Say a “Long Time” for Old Friends

Ages Ago

Someone might use this when they're talking about something that happened way back when they were kids or even before that. It sounds funny and a bit exaggerated, which makes it perfect for casual chats about the past. It really emphasizes how much time has passed since something occurred.

• I remember that happening ages ago, before we even moved here.
• My grandma told me stories about her childhood, which felt like ages ago.
• We used to play that game for hours; it was ages ago but I still recall it.
• The town looks so different now; it's like ages ago.

In the Old Days

This phrase is great for when you're reminiscing about simpler times or how things used to be before modern changes. It brings up a feeling of nostalgia and often implies that things were perhaps better or at least different back then. It's a warm way to start a story about the past.

• In the old days, we didn’t have cell phones to talk to each other.
• People used to write letters all the time in the old days.
• My dad said that in the old days, summer vacations lasted much longer.
• It was a much quieter place in the old days.

Back in My Day

This one is super common, especially when older folks want to talk about how things were when they were younger. It often comes with a bit of a comparison to the present, sometimes suggesting that things were tougher or more character-building back then. It's a familiar and often humorous way to start.

• Back in my day, we walked uphill both ways to school, you know.
• Back in my day, kids actually played outside instead of on screens.
• We didn’t have all these fancy gadgets back in my day.
• It took us forever to get anywhere back in my day.

The Good Old Days

People use this expression when they look back fondly on a period in their past, often idealizing it. It's loaded with sentimentality and nostalgia, suggesting that a particular time was happier, simpler, or just generally better than the present. It paints a picture of a cherished memory.

• We had so much fun with our friends during those summer holidays; the good old days.
• I miss those neighborhood block parties; they were truly the good old days.
• Life seemed less complicated during the good old days.
• Thinking about those carefree years brings back memories of the good old days.

In My Youth

This is a slightly more formal way to talk about the time when you were young. It sounds a bit more reflective and can be used when you're sharing personal history or discussing experiences from your younger years. It suggests a period of growth and learning that has long passed.

• In my youth, I dreamed of traveling the world.
• My interests were quite different in my youth.
• The music I loved in my youth still makes me feel young.
• In my youth, I had more energy than I knew what to do with.

When I Was Younger

This phrase is straightforward and easily understood by everyone. It's a clear signal that you’re about to share a memory or an opinion from your earlier life. It's often used to contrast past experiences with current ones, making it a good way to show how you've changed or how things have evolved.

• When I was younger, I thought this would be easy.
• My parents worried a lot when I was younger.
• When I was younger, I didn’t appreciate their advice.
• We spent a lot of time outdoors when I was younger.

A Long Time Past

This is a very direct way to refer to an event or period that occurred far in the past. It doesn't carry as much emotional weight as some other phrases, making it useful for factual recounting or when you simply want to state that something happened a while ago. It's clear and to the point.

• That technology is from a long time past; nobody uses it anymore.
• The building has stood here for a long time past.
• The tradition dates back to a long time past.
• Most of those original members are from a long time past.

Many Moons Ago

This sounds a bit more poetic and whimsical, often used in storytelling or when you want to add a touch of magic to your words. It evokes a sense of mystery and deep time, suggesting that the event is so far back that it's almost legendary. It’s a fun and imaginative way to speak.

• We first met many moons ago, when we were just little kids.
• My grandfather told me he saw a ghost many moons ago.
• The ancient ruins were built many moons ago.
• They say a dragon lived in these mountains many moons ago.

Eons Ago

This term dramatically emphasizes a vast amount of time, much longer than just years or decades. It's often used for humorous exaggeration or when referring to geological or cosmic timescales. It makes even a moderately long wait sound incredibly ancient and significant.

• It feels like I've been waiting for this movie to come out for eons ago.
• My computer starts up as if it's booting up eons ago.
• Scientists study rock layers that formed eons ago.
• Dinosaurs roamed the Earth eons ago.

Other Ways to Say a “Long Time” When Talking About Someone's Life

Since the Dawn of Time

This phrase implies something has existed or been true from the very beginning of history or existence. It's a hyperbolic way to say something is extremely old or has been happening forever. It adds a grand, almost epic scale to whatever you're discussing.

• We've been friends since the dawn of time, or at least it feels that way.
• That rule has been in place since the dawn of time.
• The stars have been in the sky since the dawn of time.
• Humanity has faced challenges since the dawn of time.

For Donkeys’ Years

This is a colorful and informal British idiom. It means for a very long time, and it's often used when someone is expressing mild exasperation or amusement about how long something has been going on. It's a quirky way to convey a significant duration.

• I've known him for donkeys’ years, and he still does that!
• This old car has been in the family for donkeys’ years.
• She's been waiting for a promotion for donkeys’ years.
• They've been married for donkeys’ years.

For Ages

Similar to ages ago, this phrase indicates a very long period. It’s commonly used in everyday conversation to express that something has taken a surprisingly long time or has been happening for a significant duration. It’s informal and relatable, making it easy for anyone to understand.

• We waited for the bus for ages, and it was still late.
• I haven't seen her for ages; she must have been busy.
• This project has been going on for ages.
• My hair has been this color for ages.

Since Time Immemorial

This expression refers to a period so far back that its beginning cannot be recalled or documented. It suggests something ancient and fundamental. It's often used in legal or historical contexts but can also be used informally for dramatic effect to show extreme longevity.

• The rights to use this land have existed since time immemorial.
• Some legends are passed down since time immemorial.
• This custom has been practiced since time immemorial.
• The river has flowed through this valley since time immemorial.

Forever and a Day

This is a more dramatic and often humorous way to say a very long time. It’s an exaggeration that emphasizes the perceived length of waiting or duration. People use it when they feel like something has taken an unreasonably long amount of time, expressing a bit of playful frustration.

• I've been trying to fix this computer forever and a day.
• She's been talking on the phone forever and a day.
• It feels like we've been stuck in traffic forever and a day.
• He's been promising to clean his room forever and a day.

A Very Long Time

This phrase is the most direct and simple way to express a significant duration. It's universally understood and can be used in almost any situation, formal or informal. While not the most exciting, its clarity makes it a reliable choice when you just need to state that a lot of time has passed.

• We haven't seen each other in a very long time.
• He's been working on that novel for a very long time.
• This tradition has been around for a very long time.
• I've been wanting to visit that place for a very long time.

Since Time Began

Similar to since the dawn of time, this phrase implies an origin from the earliest moments of existence. It's used to convey extreme antiquity or a duration that feels as old as the universe itself. It adds a sense of profound history and timelessness to the subject.

• The mountains have stood here since time began.
• They say that old oak tree has been here since time began.
• This old rivalry seems to have existed since time began.
• The ocean has been a source of mystery since time began.

Other Ways to Say a “Long Time” in Everyday Conversation

The Other Day

This phrase refers to a recent, but unspecified, day in the past. It's casual and commonly used when recounting a recent event without needing to be precise about the exact date. It implies it happened not too long ago, but not necessarily yesterday.

• I saw your cousin the other day at the store.
• My car broke down the other day, which was a hassle.
• We had a great chat the other day.
• I read an interesting article the other day.

Way Back When

This is an informal and nostalgic way to refer to a time in the past, often when things were different or simpler. It carries a tone of fond remembrance and is great for storytelling about personal history or past trends. It sets a casual and reminiscent mood.

• Way back when, we used to make our own fun.
• People dressed very differently way back when.
• Way back when, we didn’t have so many choices.
• I remember that happening way back when.

Back Then

This is a very common and versatile phrase used to refer to a past period. It's simple, direct, and works in almost any context, from casual chats to more serious discussions. It clearly signals that you are talking about a specific time in the past, often for contrast.

• Back then, life was a lot simpler.
• We used to meet up every week back then.
• I was more adventurous back then.
• Back then, the internet was brand new.

Not So Long Ago

This phrase indicates a period that feels recent, but not immediately past. It suggests that while some time has elapsed, it's still within recent memory or experience. It's a good way to bridge the gap between the present and a relatively recent past event.

• I saw that movie not so long ago, and it was fantastic.
• My parents bought their first house not so long ago.
• The technology we use today was science fiction not so long ago.
• We were all much younger not so long ago.

Years on End

This expression emphasizes the continuous nature of an action or state over a long duration, spanning multiple years. It suggests persistence, repetition, or an unbroken period. It’s often used to highlight the endurance or the prolonged experience of something.

• He practiced the piano for years on end.
• They lived in that small town for years on end.
• She searched for answers for years on end.
• We hiked that trail for years on end.

In Those Days

This phrase is used to refer to a specific past period that the speaker or listener shares a connection with or understands from context. It evokes a sense of shared history or a particular era. It's often used when comparing past practices or conditions to the present.

• In those days, we didn't have streaming services.
• Kids played outside all afternoon in those days.
• It was harder to travel in those days.
• In those days, things felt much slower.

A Bygone Era

This is a more formal and evocative way to refer to a past period, often one that is seen as distinct and perhaps lost or significantly changed from the present. It suggests a time that has passed and is unlikely to return, carrying a sense of historical distance and finality.

• The world depicted in the film belongs to a bygone era.
• Fashion trends from a bygone era are coming back.
• The photographs capture a truly bygone era.
• He was fascinated by the artifacts from a bygone era.

In Yesteryear

This is a poetic and somewhat old-fashioned term for the past, particularly for the preceding year or for times long gone. It adds a touch of charm and literary flair when referring to past events or periods. It sounds sophisticated and timeless.

• In yesteryear, harvests were celebrated with great festivals.
• The town square looked quite different in yesteryear.
• Songs from yesteryear often tell tales of love and loss.
• Many traditions we cherish originated in yesteryear.

Once Upon a Time

This is the classic opening for fairy tales and stories, instantly signaling a departure from reality into a world of imagination. It sets a magical, timeless mood, implying a narrative set in a far-off, often unspecified, past where anything can happen. It's enchanting.

• Once upon a time, there was a brave knight who saved a kingdom.
• Once upon a time, two unlikely friends embarked on an adventure.
• Once upon a time, a little bird learned to sing.
• Once upon a time, magic was real.

The Past

This is the most basic and universal way to refer to any time before the present moment. It’s neutral and can be used in any context, from casual conversations to academic writing. It covers all periods prior to now, from yesterday to ancient history.

• We talked about our plans for the past weekend.
• She's been feeling a bit down about the past.
• The company has a long history in the past.
• Let's not dwell on the past.

Other Ways to Say a “Long Time” for Historical or Epic Scope

In Time Long Past

This phrase sounds grand and epic, often used when discussing ancient history, myths, or legends. It suggests a deep, almost immeasurable past, evoking a sense of wonder and historical weight. It's perfect for setting a scene in a very old story.

• In time long past, dragons ruled the skies.
• The secrets of the pyramids are from time long past.
• Ancient civilizations flourished in time long past.
• Myths passed down from time long past still influence us.

In Days of Yore

This is a very old-fashioned and literary way to refer to times long ago. It has a romantic and slightly formal tone, often used in epic poems, ballads, or historical fiction to evoke an ancient, perhaps heroic, past. It sounds grand and timeless.

• In days of yore, kings and queens ruled the land.
• Brave warriors fought great battles in days of yore.
• The castle walls have stood firm through days of yore.
• Stories of adventure filled the air in days of yore.

When the World Was Young

This expression suggests an extremely ancient past, a time when the earth or civilization was in its infancy. It evokes a sense of primeval beginnings and a world vastly different from our own. It's a poetic way to describe immense age.

• Creatures of myth roamed the land when the world was young.
• The stars looked different in the sky when the world was young.
• Humanity was just learning to communicate when the world was young.
• The great forests covered the land when the world was young.

In Antediluvian Times

This refers to the period before the biblical Great Flood. It's an extremely specific and very ancient historical reference, implying a time so far back it's almost unimaginable. It's used to describe things that are incredibly old or from a past civilization long gone.

• Legends speak of advanced civilizations in antediluvian times.
• The artifacts discovered are thought to be from antediluvian times.
• Geologists study formations from antediluvian times.
• Some believe these myths originated in antediluvian times.

Since the Beginning of Recorded History

This marks a starting point for when humans began writing things down. It signifies a vast but defined span of time, distinct from prehistoric eras. It's often used to talk about the development of societies, laws, or knowledge over a long, documented span.

• Conflict has been a part of human life since the beginning of recorded history.
• The development of agriculture changed everything since the beginning of recorded history.
• Cities have existed in some form since the beginning of recorded history.
• We've been telling stories since the beginning of recorded history.

In the Mists of Time

This phrase evokes a sense of deep, unclear, and often mysterious history. It suggests a past so distant that details are lost or obscured, like looking through fog. It's perfect for times shrouded in legend, myth, or simply the great unknown past.

• The origins of this tradition are lost in the mists of time.
• The exact lineage of the ancient royal family is in the mists of time.
• Many forgotten languages exist in the mists of time.
• The island's first settlers arrived in the mists of time.

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Final Thoughts

I hope you found some great new ways to talk about time passing! It’s fun to switch up your words. Using these phrases can make your stories more interesting. Try them out next time you chat with friends. You’ll sound super creative.