For ages means for a very long time. It is a conversational exaggeration: I haven't seen you for ages! The phrase sounds lively in IELTS Speaking, but in an IELTS essay write for a long time instead.
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for ages; haven't + seen/been/done + for ages; take ages (to + verb); ages ago
- I haven't spoken to my cousin for ages; I should call her this weekend.
- We waited for ages at passport control because only one desk was open.
- She's been looking for a flat in the city centre for ages.
What changed
First versionI haven't been to the cinema for a hundred years.
RevisionI haven't been to the cinema for ages.
For a hundred years sounds strange and too literal to a native speaker, as if you mean an actual century. In English this kind of everyday exaggeration is usually expressed with for ages. Only this part has changed.
For a long time is the neutral way to say long and suits any text: The factory was closed for a long time. For ages is more conversational and almost always exaggerates: you waited twenty minutes but say for ages. Don't confuse it with ages ago, which means a long time ago, a point in the past: I bought this jacket ages ago.
Your turn
I waited ___ for the bus this morning; it came forty minutes late.
Show the answer
for ages — The bus was forty minutes late, so the wait was very long: for ages. Ages ago means a long time ago and doesn't go with this morning.
Write a message to a friend you haven't been in touch with for a long time. Use for ages and suggest a specific day and place to meet.
We haven't met for ages, so how about lunch at the Italian place near your office on Saturday?
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