lines: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral (used across formal, informal, and technical contexts)
Quick answer
What does “lines” mean?
Long, thin marks or continuous series of marks on a surface.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Long, thin marks or continuous series of marks on a surface; also, physical or conceptual boundaries or divisions.
A set of words in a play, poem, or song; a queue of people or things; a sequence of products or models; a company's business area; a connected series of people or things.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. In theatre/film, "learn your lines" is standard in both. "Queue" is strongly preferred in BrE where AmE uses "line" (e.g., waiting in line). In transport, "railway lines" (BrE) vs. "railroad tracks" (AmE).
Connotations
Similar core connotations. In business, "product lines" is neutral. In geometry/mathematics, identical usage.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties. The specific collocation "waiting in line" is significantly more frequent in AmE, while "queue" replaces it in BrE for the 'waiting' sense.
Grammar
How to Use “lines” in a Sentence
[verb] + lines: learn/memorise/forget/deliver lines[preposition] + lines: in line, on the line, along the lines oflines + [preposition]: lines of text, lines of thought, lines from a poemVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lines” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She lines the cake tin with parchment paper.
- The avenue is lined with ancient oak trees.
American English
- He lines the shelves every morning.
- The hallway is lined with family portraits.
adverb
British English
- N/A for 'lines' as an adverb.
American English
- N/A for 'lines' as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- N/A for 'lines' as an adjective. The related adjective is 'linear'.
American English
- N/A for 'lines' as an adjective. The related adjective is 'linear'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"We are expanding our product lines into the sustainable goods market." Refers to categories of goods/services a company sells.
Academic
"The author develops two distinct lines of argument in the third chapter." Refers to threads of reasoning or inquiry.
Everyday
"There were long lines at the supermarket checkout." Refers to queues.
Technical
"The engineer inspected the power lines after the storm." Refers to cables/wires; also in geometry, "parallel lines."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lines”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “lines”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lines”
- Using 'lines' as a singular verb incorrectly (e.g., 'She lines to sing' is wrong; correct is 'She likes to sing').
- Confusing 'lines' (plural noun) with 'lines' (3rd person singular verb: 'She lines the drawers with paper').
- Overusing the word for simple lists; 'a few lines of text' is idiomatic, but 'a few lines of items' is not.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is the third-person singular present tense of the verb 'to line' (meaning to cover the inner surface or stand along the edges), as in 'She lines the box with silk.' It is not a standalone noun in singular form; the singular noun is 'line'.
In the sense of people waiting, 'queue' is the standard term in British English, while 'line' is standard in American English. In computing, 'queue' is the technical term worldwide for a data structure.
Yes, informally it can refer to wrinkles or signs of aging on the face (e.g., 'fine lines and wrinkles'). It can also refer to the contours of a body or vehicle (e.g., 'the sleek lines of the new sports car').
They are the literal lines of written text. The idiom metaphorically suggests discerning a hidden or implied meaning that is not explicitly stated in the words themselves.
Long, thin marks or continuous series of marks on a surface.
Lines is usually neutral (used across formal, informal, and technical contexts) in register.
Lines: in British English it is pronounced /laɪnz/, and in American English it is pronounced /laɪnz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “read between the lines”
- “along the same lines”
- “cross the line”
- “draw the line (at)”
- “hold the line”
- “in the firing line”
- “lay it on the line”
- “on the line”
- “out of line”
- “step out of line”
- “toe the line”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LIoN drawing straight LINES in the sand with its claws. The 'I' in 'lion' sounds like the 'I' in 'lines.'
Conceptual Metaphor
LINES ARE PATHS (e.g., 'line of thought'), LINES ARE BOUNDARIES (e.g., 'cross a line'), LINES ARE CONNECTIONS (e.g., 'lines of communication').
Practice
Quiz
In a theatrical context, what does 'to learn your lines' mean?