queue
B2Neutral to formal in everyday use; technical in computing contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A line or sequence of people, vehicles, or objects awaiting their turn to be attended to or to proceed.
1) In computing, an ordered list of data items, commands, or tasks to be processed, typically following a first-in, first-out principle. 2) A hairstyle where the hair is worn long and tied back in a braid or ponytail (historical, from Manchu tradition). 3) To form or join such a line; to wait in turn.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In everyday British English, the noun is concrete and ubiquitous, referring to the physical act of waiting in line. In computing, it is an abstract data structure. The verb usage is common. The sense of 'queue' as a hairstyle is archaic outside historical discussion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The noun 'queue' is the standard term in British English for a line of people/vehicles. In American English, 'line' is far more common for this meaning. The verb 'to queue (up)' is also primarily British. In American English, 'to line up' or 'to wait in line' are used.
Connotations
In British culture, 'queuing' is associated with order, fairness, and patience, often seen as a cultural trait. In American English, using 'queue' can sound formal, technical (due to computing), or slightly British.
Frequency
Extremely high-frequency in UK spoken and written English. In US English, common in computing contexts (e.g., 'printer queue', 'message queue'), but rare in everyday physical contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
queue (up) for somethingqueue (up) to do somethingqueue (something) for processing (computing)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “jump the queue (BrE)/cut in line (AmE)”
- “queue up”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Managing customer queues efficiently is key to retail satisfaction.
Academic
The study applied queueing theory to model patient wait times in the emergency department.
Everyday
Sorry I'm late, there was a massive queue at the supermarket checkout.
Technical
The router uses a priority queue to manage network packets.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We had to queue for an hour to get into the exhibition.
- Customers were queueing up outside the shop before the sale.
American English
- Tasks are queued for processing by the server.
- Fans lined up for blocks to get concert tickets. (Note: 'lined up' used instead of 'queued')
adjective
British English
- The queuing time was estimated at 45 minutes.
- We followed the queue management signs.
American English
- The queued jobs will be handled in order.
- Check the printer's queue status.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please queue here for the bus.
- There is a short queue at the post office.
- We queued for over thirty minutes in the rain.
- You'll have to join the queue for the toilets.
- The software queues incoming emails for review.
- A disorderly queue formed after the concert, causing some frustration.
- The algorithm implements a double-ended queue for efficient data manipulation.
- Historical depictions often show men with a shaved forehead and a long braided queue.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the letter 'Q' with its long tail – a queue is a line with a head and a long tail of people behind.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A QUEUE (waiting your turn, progression in sequence); TIME/EVENTS ARE OBJECTS IN A QUEUE (things lined up to happen).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend: Russian 'кью' (kyu) is just the name of the letter Q. The correct translation is 'очередь'.
- The spelling 'queue' (with 4 silent letters after 'q') is a notorious challenge.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'que', 'cue', 'queu'.
- Pronouncing the 'ueue' part (should be /kjuː/).
- Using 'queue' as a physical line in American everyday contexts (sounds odd).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'queue' MOST likely to be used in everyday American English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. 'Queue' as a verb is standard ("queue here"). 'Queue up' is a common phrasal verb, especially in British English, with the same meaning ("queue up over there").
It comes from French 'queue' (meaning 'tail'), which entered English in the late 15th century. The spelling preserves the French form, and the pronunciation simplified to just the initial consonant sound /k/ and the long vowel /juː/.
Yes. You can have 'a queue', 'two queues', 'long queues'. In computing, you also refer to 'a print queue', 'multiple message queues'.
A 'queue' is a FIFO (First-In-First-Out) structure: the first item added is the first processed. A 'stack' is LIFO (Last-In-First-Out): the last item added is the first processed, like a stack of plates.
Collections
Part of a collection
Shopping
A2 · 50 words · Vocabulary for buying and selling goods.