links: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral, used across formal and informal registers. 'Golf links' is a specific technical term.
Quick answer
What does “links” mean?
Connections or relationships between things.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Connections or relationships between things; in golf, a specific type of coastal, sandy terrain used for golf courses.
Physical or abstract connections, such as hyperlinks in computing, associations between people or ideas, or the golf courses built on linksland. Often used metaphorically to describe any connecting element in a chain or network.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term 'links' for a golf course is equally standard in both dialects. In business/job terminology, 'link' is more common in American English (e.g., 'job links'), whereas 'links' in phrases like 'useful links' is universal.
Connotations
In both, 'links' often implies a more casual, organic, or networked connection than the singular 'link'. The golf term has strong traditional/Scottish connotations.
Frequency
Higher frequency in British English in historical/social contexts (e.g., 'family links'). Universal frequency in digital/tech contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “links” in a Sentence
have/establish/maintain/strengthen/forge ~ (with/to/between)break/sever/cut ~ (with)~ connect/link A and/to/with Bbe ~ed toVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “links” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The study links diet to heart disease.
- The new bridge links the two communities.
American English
- The article links climate change to extreme weather.
- The software links all our databases.
adverb
British English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb; typically part of a phrasal verb like 'link up').
American English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb; typically part of a phrasal verb like 'link up').
adjective
British English
- It's a links course, typical of Scottish coastal golf.
- He prefers links golf to parkland.
American English
- They played on a classic links-style course.
- The links tournament is next week.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to professional connections, supply chain relationships, or hyperlinks on a website.
Academic
Used to describe causal relationships, theoretical connections, or citations (e.g., 'see the links between poverty and health').
Everyday
Common for social/family connections and website navigation (e.g., 'Check the useful links below').
Technical
In computing: hyperlinks. In golf: the type of terrain and course.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “links”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “links”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “links”
- Using 'links' as a singular verb (e.g., 'He links them' is correct, 'He links it' is singular). Confusing 'links' (connections) with 'lynx' (the animal). Using 'link' for the golf course ('a golf link' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is typically plural for nouns meaning 'connections' or for the golf course. The singular is 'link' for a single connection. The verb 'links' is third person singular.
Yes, but it's treated as a plural noun (e.g., 'St Andrews is a famous links' or 'The links are beautiful today'). The word is historically plural.
'Link' often implies a single, specific connection. 'Links' implies a network, series, or multiple connections (e.g., 'family links', 'useful website links').
It refers to the specific sandy, coastal land ('linksland') on which the traditional game in Scotland was played. It denotes the terrain, not just any golf course.
Connections or relationships between things.
Links is usually neutral, used across formal and informal registers. 'golf links' is a specific technical term. in register.
Links: in British English it is pronounced /lɪŋks/, and in American English it is pronounced /lɪŋks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “missing link”
- “weakest link”
- “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a chain: each LINK S-trongly connects to the next, forming many LINKS.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONNECTIONS ARE PHYSICAL LINKS (e.g., 'forge links', 'broken links', 'strong ties').
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'links' specifically refer to a type of terrain?