To lengthen or grow (e.g., hair, height, grass); to stretch or extend in size.
最近背が伸びて、自分の服が少しきつくなった。
I've grown taller recently and my clothes have become a bit tight.
髪が伸びたから、そろそろ散髪に行かないと。
My hair has grown, so I should go get a haircut soon.
雨のおかげで庭の草がよく伸びた。
Thanks to the rain, the grass in the garden has grown a lot.
生徒たちの学力がこの一年でぐんと伸びた。
The students' academic ability has improved significantly over the year.
To become straightened out or flattened; to become smooth (e.g., wrinkles smoothing out).
アイロンをかけたらシャツのシワが伸びた。
When I ironed it, the wrinkles in the shirt smoothed out.
新品の靴は履いているうちに少し伸びることがある。
New shoes sometimes loosen a little as you wear them.
To spread (of paint, cream, etc.); to have good coverage/consistency so it spreads well.
この絵の具はよく伸びるから、少しで大きな面が塗れる。
This paint spreads well, so you can cover a large area with a small amount.
日焼け止めは肌に良く伸びるタイプを選ぶと塗りやすい。
Choose a sunscreen that spreads well on the skin; it’s easier to apply.
To stretch out (e.g., a hand); to extend one's reach or lengthen part of the body.
手を伸ばすとその本に届くよ。
If you stretch out your hand you can reach that book.
朝起きてベッドの中で体を伸びると気持ちがいい。
It feels good to stretch in bed when you wake up in the morning.
To lose elasticity or firm texture; to become slack or soggy (e.g., noodles getting soggy).
ラーメンは時間が経つと麺が伸びるから早めに食べたほうがいい。
Ramen noodles get soggy if you wait, so it's better to eat them quickly.
何度も洗ったらセーターが少し伸びてしまった。
After multiple washes the sweater stretched out a bit.
To make progress, develop, expand, increase, or improve (e.g., sales, skills, performance).
今年に入って売上が伸びてきた。
Sales have been increasing since the start of this year.
日本語の勉強を続けたら、会話力が伸びた。
My conversational Japanese improved after continuing to study.
研究が順調に伸びれば、来年発表できるだろう。
If the research progresses well, we should be able to publish next year.
Colloquially, to be knocked out, collapse, or pass out; also used to mean becoming exhausted or dropping (informal).
あの一発で相手はリングに伸びた。
With that one punch the opponent went down in the ring.
暑さで歩けなくなり、途中で伸びそうになった。
I almost collapsed on the way because of the heat.
To be prolonged or extended (e.g., a meeting, lifespan, deadline); to continue longer than planned.
会議が延びて、帰りが遅くなってしまった。
The meeting ran long and I ended up getting home late.
休暇が延びたので、旅行をもう一日楽しめることになった。
The holiday was extended, so we can enjoy the trip for another day.
To be postponed or delayed; to be put off to a later time (often written 延びる).
試合は雨で翌日に延びた。
The match was postponed to the next day because of the rain.
締め切りが延びたので、もう少し時間がある。
The deadline was pushed back, so we have a little more time.