skyline: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal; common in descriptive, travel, and architectural contexts.
Quick answer
What does “skyline” mean?
The outline of buildings, mountains, or other structures seen against the sky.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The outline of buildings, mountains, or other structures seen against the sky.
A distinctive visual profile of a city's tall buildings; metaphorically, something that defines the upper limit or prominent feature of a landscape or concept.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The concept is more frequently invoked in American English due to the prominence of iconic skylines (e.g., New York, Chicago).
Connotations
In British English, may more often refer to historic city profiles (e.g., Oxford, Edinburgh). In American English, strongly associated with modern urbanism and architectural ambition.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English, but common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “skyline” in a Sentence
The [CITY] skyline is dominated by [BUILDING][BUILDING] pierces/changes/defines the skylineA view of the skylineThe skyline of [PLACE]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “skyline” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The London skyline has been transformed by the Shard.
- We walked along the South Bank, admiring the historic skyline.
American English
- The New York skyline is instantly recognizable.
- The Chicago skyline is stunning from Lake Michigan.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in real estate and tourism marketing to denote premium views and location desirability.
Academic
Used in urban studies, architecture, and human geography to analyze city form and development.
Everyday
Used to describe the view from a window, a holiday photo, or the appearance of a town.
Technical
In surveying or graphics, the line where earth/structures meet the sky.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “skyline”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “skyline”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skyline”
- Using 'skyline' to refer to a single tall building (use 'skyscraper').
- Misspelling as 'sky line' (it is a closed compound noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most common for urban landscapes, it can be used for any distinct outline against the sky, such as a mountain range or forest.
Very rarely and technically (e.g., in design: 'to skyline a building'). It is overwhelmingly used as a noun.
The horizon is the apparent line where earth meets sky. A skyline is the specific outline of objects (buildings, trees) on that horizon.
It is primarily a common noun. It is capitalized when part of a proper name, like 'the Skyline Drive' in Virginia, USA, or a model of car (Nissan Skyline).
The outline of buildings, mountains, or other structures seen against the sky.
Skyline is usually neutral to formal; common in descriptive, travel, and architectural contexts. in register.
Skyline: in British English it is pronounced /ˈskaɪ.laɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈskaɪˌlaɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A jagged/toothed skyline”
- “To etch/cut the skyline”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine drawing a line along the top of the buildings where they meet the sky.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE CITY IS A BODY (the skyline is its crown/head); ACHIEVEMENT IS HEIGHT (a towering skyline symbolizes success).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the best definition of 'skyline'?