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city skyline

city skyline

1 3.2
The shape of a city's buildings seen against the sky
  • noun
  • /ˈsɪti ˈskaɪlaɪn/
translation icon : silhouette de la ciudad
  • The roof terrace, for example, may be rented for private performances or functions and offers spectacular views of the bay and city skyline.
  • view of the city skyline
  • dominates the city skyline
  • city skyline in the distance

What what do you love about and what do you think about the New York City skyline?

Examples

  • Yet as we drove back into Manhattan and the sun glistened over the city skyline, instead of complaining, she commented on the view.

    Blog text (7)
  • We are soaring through the air above the gleaming city skyline, moving towards the Edgewood Towers whose windows reflect the blood-red sinking sun.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • A large window looks out on a city skyline.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • To the south, one spots the city skyline and the Mexican border beyond.

    Academic text (2006)
  • The familiar towers of the city skyline stand along the bay, their lights reflecting off the water.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Edinburgh Castle is situated on top of an ancient volcano that allows it to dominate the city skyline.

    Blog text (4)
  • The view from the rooftop terrace showcases a stunning city skyline as the sun sets.

  • Tourists flock to the observation deck for the best perspective of the iconic city skyline.

  • She captured a photograph of the city skyline, highlighting its unique architectural features.

Synonyms

skyline
vscity skyline
50 2.5

The outline where the sky meets land or buildings from far away

focuses on outlines of urban buildings that are distinctive and recognizable
cityscape
vscity skyline
8 5.1

A view of a city, often seen in a photo or painting

shows the actual building outline seen against the sky rather than an artwork

Antonyms

136 1.1

Land and views outside towns and cities with fields and farms

How High

city skyline
1 3.2
skyline
50 2.5
horizon
177 2.0

Surface Forms

city skyline singular
city skylines plural

Morphology

city + skyline

Both constituents directly contribute to the meaning: 'skyline' already denotes the visible outline of buildings against the sky, and 'city' simply specifies which skyline. This noun+noun composition is compositional and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer the phrase's meaning.

Etymology

City skyline comes from the simple picture of a city's buildings against the sky. The city names the place and the skyline is the line where the tops of buildings meet the sky, so the phrase means the city's visible 'shape' or 'outline' against the sky.