limes: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral (everyday). 'Limes' as fruit is neutral/informal; historical 'limes' is academic/formal.
Quick answer
What does “limes” mean?
A small, round, green citrus fruit with a sour, acidic taste, related to the lemon. The plural form of 'lime'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, round, green citrus fruit with a sour, acidic taste, related to the lemon. The plural form of 'lime'.
In a historical or military context (from Latin), it can refer to a fortified frontier or boundary, especially of the Roman Empire. Informally, it can mean the color lime-green.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in the fruit meaning. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA). The historical sense is equally rare in both.
Connotations
In both, associated with freshness, zest, tropical drinks (e.g., gin and tonic), and cooking (e.g., Key lime pie).
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties for the fruit.
Grammar
How to Use “limes” in a Sentence
buy some limessqueeze the limes (into something)garnish with limesadd the juice of two limesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “limes” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To lime (treat with lime) is rare in modern usage, e.g., 'to lime the soil in the allotment.'
American English
- To lime (treat with lime) is rare, e.g., 'They had to lime the field to reduce acidity.'
adjective
British English
- She wore a lovely lime-coloured dress to the summer fête.
American English
- The car was painted a bright lime green.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In trade: 'The company imports limes from Mexico.'
Academic
In history: 'The Roman limes in Germania was a complex system of fortifications.'
Everyday
In cooking: 'I need three limes for this guacamole recipe.'
Technical
In botany/agriculture: 'The trees were yielding a poor crop of limes due to citrus greening disease.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “limes”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “limes”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “limes”
- Using it as an uncountable noun for the fruit (*'add some lime' vs. 'add a lime/add some lime juice'). Confusing spelling with 'lines' or 'limbs'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Limes are typically smaller, greener, and have a more intense, sharper acidity than the more mellow, yellow lemons. They also have a distinct aromatic profile.
Rarely in modern English. The verb 'to lime' historically meant to treat with lime (calcium oxide), as in agriculture or tanning, but this is highly technical/archaic.
For the fruit, it is almost always countable ('two limes'). The substance 'lime' (calcium oxide) or 'lime juice' in bulk can be uncountable ('add some lime'). The historical frontier 'limes' is uncountable.
For 'limes', the standard pronunciation is identical in both RP (British) and General American. Differences may exist in regional accents, but the phonemic transcription /laɪmz/ is standard for both.
A small, round, green citrus fruit with a sour, acidic taste, related to the lemon. The plural form of 'lime'.
Limes is usually neutral (everyday). 'limes' as fruit is neutral/informal; historical 'limes' is academic/formal. in register.
Limes: in British English it is pronounced /laɪmz/, and in American English it is pronounced /laɪmz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Life gave him limes? (play on 'when life gives you lemons')”
- “To be in the lime(green) (rare, play on 'in the limelight')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LImes are Like sour green LeMons – all three words start with L.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOURNESS/ACIDITY IS SHARPNESS (e.g., 'a lime-sharp dressing'), FRESHNESS IS CLEANLINESS/ZEST (e.g., 'lime-fresh scent').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'limes' most likely refer to a boundary?