Line
/laɪn/
Definitions
6 meaningsA continuous mark, as made by a pen, pencil, or other implement.
/laɪn/
A long, thin mark on a surface.
She drew a straight line across the page.
💡 Simply: Imagine drawing a straight mark with a pencil. That's a line!
👶 For kids: A straight mark made with a pen or pencil.
More Examples
The architect used lines to represent walls in the blueprint.
The children were told to stay behind the line.
The graph showed a jagged line representing the stock price fluctuations.
How It's Used
"The artist used bold lines to create the drawing."
"Each line in the poem had a specific rhythm."
A number of people or things arranged in a row.
/laɪn/
A row of people or things.
There was a long line at the ticket booth.
💡 Simply: Like when you're waiting in a queue for something, that's a line!
👶 For kids: When you stand in a row to wait for something.
More Examples
The soldiers stood in line for inspection.
The production line in the factory was running smoothly.
The customer service line was very busy today.
How It's Used
"The line at the grocery store was very long."
"The football team's offensive line blocked effectively."
A path or route, especially one that is established or followed regularly.
/laɪn/
A route or course of travel.
The bus line runs every 30 minutes.
💡 Simply: Imagine a path a train takes, or a route on a map. That's a line!
👶 For kids: A path that you follow to get somewhere.
More Examples
They followed the line on the map to reach their destination.
The airline announced a new flight line to Europe.
How It's Used
"The train line connects the city to the suburbs."
"The equator is an imaginary line around the Earth."
A length of thin, strong cord.
/laɪn/
A piece of string or cord.
The sailor used a line to secure the boat to the dock.
💡 Simply: That long string you use to hang clothes or catch fish? That's a line!
👶 For kids: A string or rope.
More Examples
The fisherman felt a tug on his line.
She hung the laundry on the clothesline to dry.
How It's Used
"He cast his fishing line into the water."
"The clothes were hung on a clothesline."
A unit of text in a piece of writing or speech.
/laɪn/
A short piece of text in a speech or writing.
He wrote several lines of poetry.
💡 Simply: When you're reading, each row of words is a line!
👶 For kids: A row of words in a book or poem.
More Examples
The actor practiced his lines for the play.
Each line of code in the program performed a specific function.
How It's Used
"She memorized the opening lines of the poem."
"The actor forgot his line during the performance."
To form a row along; to be or place oneself in a line.
/laɪn/
To form a line along something.
The soldiers lined up for inspection.
💡 Simply: When you put things or people in a row alongside something, you line them up!
👶 For kids: To stand in a row next to something.
More Examples
They lined the walls with shelves.
People lined the parade route to watch the procession.
How It's Used
"Workers lined the street with trees."
"Fans lined the stadium to watch the game."
Idioms & expressions
toe the line
To follow the rules or regulations; to conform.
"If you want to keep your job, you'll have to toe the line."
down the line
In the future; at a later time.
"We'll deal with that problem down the line."
in line with
Consistent or following the same principles or standards as something else.
"The company's new policy is in line with the industry standards."
From Old English *līne* (a rope, string, row), from Latin *linum* (flax, linen), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *lī-no- (flax).
Used in Old English, the meaning has evolved from rope or cord to more general meanings of a mark or arrangement.
Memory tip
Think of drawing a line on paper to remember the definition.
Word Origin
"flax, linen"