1. a tedious passage or section in a book, play, musical work, or other creative work
Usage: from French; literary criticism

Examples

• The novel’s middle section contained several longueurs that slowed the pace.
• Critics noted the longueurs in the second act of the play.
• Despite its longueurs, the symphony remained popular with audiences.
• The editor suggested cutting the longueurs to improve the manuscript.
• Even great works of literature can suffer from occasional longueurs.
• The film’s longueurs tested the patience of viewers.
• She skipped over the longueurs to reach the exciting parts of the story.