| 100% | THESES | 6 | Papers that take years to complete |
| 59% | OED | 3 | Ref. work that took 70 years to complete |
| 56% | OED | 3 | British ref. work that took 70 years to complete |
| 54% | PHD | 3 | Degree that could take up to eight years to complete: Abbr. |
| 54% | OED | 3 | Ref. work that took more than 70 years to complete |
| 50% | OED | 3 | It took 70 years to complete, in brief |
| 49% | LIFESWORK | 9 | It takes years and years to complete |
| 45% | DECADES | 7 | They take years to end |
| 45% | AGING | 5 | Winery process that takes years |
| 45% | TBOND | 5 | It takes years to mature |
| 43% | TNOTE | 5 | Investment that can take up to ten years to mature, informally |
| 41% | HERO | 4 | Sandwich that takes two hands to handle |
| 41% | SLOWCOMMOTION | 13 | Pandemonium that takes a while to build? |
| 41% | YEAR | 4 | It takes months to complete |
| 41% | MONTH | 5 | It takes weeks to complete |
| 40% | PHD | 3 | Advanced degree that can take four years to earn: Abbr. |
| 40% | PERMIT | 6 | Paper that shows a legal right to work, park, etc |
| 40% | OLD | 3 | What it takes years and years to grow |
| 40% | CENSUS | 6 | Counting effort that takes place every 10 years |
| 40% | EARS | 4 | Organs that take the sounds to the brain |
| 40% | GALACTICA | 9 | Ship that takes humanity back to Earth: Battlestar __ |
| 40% | LOB | 3 | Tennis shot that takes a while to land |
| 40% | LONGCON | 7 | Scam that takes a while to pay off |
| 40% | LOB | 3 | Tennis shot that takes several seconds to land |
| 40% | LIMO | 4 | Car that takes a celebrity to an event |
| 40% | LONGCON | 7 | Scam that takes some time to pay off |
| 40% | ALSORANS | 8 | Those unable to take a seat? |
| 40% | BUS | 3 | Vehicle that takes kids to school |
| 40% | SAGA | 4 | Story that takes hours to tell |
| 39% | SCHOOLBUS | 9 | Big yellow vehicle that takes US children to class |