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to line

to line

439 2.1
To form a row along the edge of something
  • verb
  • /laɪn/
: bordear
  • The artist decided to line the edges of the canvas with bright colors.
  • line the streets
  • tree-lined street
  • line the avenue

And of course I'm just going to line my lips.

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Examples

  • Fig and olive trees, papery bougainvillea blossoms line the walkway between the grotto and a nearby church.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Line up to hear Firefall's latest hit.

  • And if I line this up one way.

  • One more time, line it up.

  • Line up in single file along the barriers.

  • Once students are lined up, walk in a single file line to the nearest drinking fountain.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Line up in an orderly fashion.

  • Nineteen Festival Maidens line up for the Lete Boku dance parade at Biko-Biko market square.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Before painting, she will line the walls with a protective covering.

  • He always lines the paths in his garden to create a neat appearance.

Synonyms

to draw
vsto line
877 1.0

Make a picture with a pen or pencil

is more general, applying to creating rows or covering edges as well
to line up
vsto line
397 2.6

Put people or things in a straight row

can mean physical surface strokes as well as forming items into a row
to mark
vsto line
111 1.0

Make a visible line, spot, or sign on a surface

is broader, focusing on forming or covering with strokes rather than any sign
to trace
vsto line
41 2.8

To draw lines along the outside of a shape

covers forming rows or covering edges beyond just following shapes
to underline
vsto line
18 2.2

To draw a line under a word to show it is important

has wider use, meaning any surface stroke or forming a row along an edge
to streak
vsto line
18 2.8

To mark something with long thin lines of a different color

is not limited to long thin strokes and can mean simple rows
to run along
vsto line
13 2.5

To be in a line next to something, like a road

also includes creating strokes and covering surfaces with strokes
to delineate
vsto line
  • Formal
8 7.0

To draw the shape or edge of something clearly

is broader, including simple strokes or arranging items into a row
to describe
vsto line
  • Specialized
7 4.9

To draw the outline of a shape or path on a surface

is less technical and can mean creating strokes or forming a row
to mark off
vsto line
4 3.4

To draw lines or put tape to show the edge of an area

is more general, including making strokes without aiming to separate
to scribe
vsto line
3 7.4

To mark a surface with a sharp point or write something carefully by hand

is more general, not limited to pointed tools or careful handwriting
to stripe
vsto line
2 3.2

To mark a surface with long narrow lines of a different color

focuses on strokes or arranging along an edge rather than coloured bands
1 3.9

To show the line that separates two places

is broader, applying to creating strokes or forming rows not only borders
to face
vsto line
  • Specialized
1 7.0

To cover the edge or surface of something with another material

is more specific to making strokes or arranging items into a row
to striate
vsto line
  • Specialized
1 9.5

To make thin parallel lines or shallow grooves on a surface

is more general, including any kind of row or surface covering
to check
vsto line
1 4.2

Draw crossed lines to make a pattern of squares

is more general, not restricted to patterned or crossed strokes
to overline
vsto line
  • Specialized
1 7.2

To draw a horizontal line above a letter or symbol to show a special meaning

is broader, covering any marking or arranging along edges beyond notation
to rule
vsto line
1 4.1

To draw straight lines on paper using a flat tool

is broader, applying to making strokes or forming rows without tools

Antonyms

50 2.7

To make people or animals move quickly in different directions

19 1.6

Remove marks, writing, or digital files so they are no longer visible

Idioms

445 1.0

One after another in a row

270 4.8

At risk of being lost or harmed because of how something turns out

146 4.5

Behaving in a way that is not acceptable to others

to draw the line
  • Informal
80 4.1

Set a clear limit on what you will accept

76 3.2

Next to receive something like a job or reward

70 4.4

At some point in the future

over the line
  • Informal
43 8.2

Acting in a way that is too rude or hurtful to others

33 4.2

While doing your job, especially in police, military, or other official work

At some point while things are happening or changing

27 4.6

At some point during a process or series of events

to toe the line
  • Informal
16 5.4

To do what people in charge expect and follow the rules exactly

To set a clear limit that must not be crossed

to walk the line
  • Informal
12 6.8

Keep a careful balance between different demands and views

Officially agree to something by writing your name on a document

8 7.8

To speak honestly and directly, even if it may cause trouble

1 1.1

Standing one behind another waiting to get something

1 6.3

To go past a limit people set and cause serious problems

1 7.6

In a position where people may blame or criticize you

1 8.4

To take money for yourself in a dishonest way using a job or position

1 8.4

Make things ready in the right order before you need them

9.9

A plan or promise that looks real but is weak and will not last

To get money in a dishonest way by using your job or power

To take a big risk to help another person or group

Phrasal Verbs

397 2.6

Put people or things in a straight row

116 4.5

Act in a way that goes too far and is not right

110 2.7

Arrange for someone or something to be available when needed

Risk something important, like money, life, or reputation

82 1.7

To wait in a line of people for your turn

To wait in a line to get something

Control people so they behave properly

Set a clear limit on what is acceptable

to fall in line
  • Informal
26 4.3

To follow rules or other people after not wanting to at first

To refuse to change a decision or rule under pressure

To find out basic information about a person or thing

To remain connected by phone while you wait for help

To make the difference between two things hard to see

13 5.0

Go beyond what people consider acceptable

12 8.0

To risk losing something important, like your job or your reputation

11 3.8

Move ahead of people in a line without waiting for your turn

To send a short message to keep in touch

To wait on the phone without hanging up

To go to work during a strike even though other workers are striking

to give a line
  • Informal
1 8.0

To tell someone a false story to impress or trick them

to give line
  • Informal
1 8.8

Say something untrue to distract people from the truth

To keep prices or spending at the same level

To stand at the front of a group and direct them

Make standards or expectations higher

to shoot a line
  • Informal
1 8.3

To send a short message to someone by phone or text

to jip the line
  • Informal
9.9

To cut in line without taking your turn

to shoot a line
  • Australian
9.6

To say proud things to make yourself seem better than you are

Compounds

bottom line
  • Informal
393 3.7

The most important point in a situation

off-line
  • Specialized
126 3.1

Not connected to the internet or a computer

100 3.1

A type of job someone does to earn money

99 1.4

The line at the end of a race that people must cross to finish

89 1.6

A wire that carries telephone calls between two places

bottom line
  • Specialized
86 4.0

The final total showing a company's profit or loss

83 1.0

A line that does not curve and keeps the same direction

front line
  • Specialized
78 4.1

The area where enemy armies meet and fight

77 2.5

A cable that carries electricity from power stations to homes and businesses

65 3.4

A marked line on a football field showing how many yards the ball is from the nearest goal line

party line
  • Literature
63 5.1

Official ideas and rules a political party wants members to follow

62 4.3

The main place where people do the most important and risky work

62 5.1

A small difference that is hard to see between similar things

57 5.1

A firm position that accepts no compromise in politics or talks

The point when something stops or finishes

51 2.1

A border between two states in the same country

assembly line
  • Specialized
48 3.2

A factory system where a product moves past workers who add parts

47 3.5

The last part of a joke that makes people laugh

red line
  • Literature
41 4.4

A limit in talks that must not be crossed to avoid serious problems

40 1.8

A line of people or cars waiting for their turn

A product that has very high quality and is often the most expensive option

line of duty
  • Formal
37 3.4

The work or tasks someone must do as part of their job

hard-line
  • Literature
31 7.2

Firm and unwilling to change views or plans, often in politics

line item
  • Specialized
29 3.5

A single entry in a budget or bill that shows how much money it is and what it is for

28 4.2

A line of workers outside a workplace during a strike who stand to protest and stop others entering

line of credit
  • Specialized
26 3.1

A plan from a bank that lets you borrow up to a set amount

24 3.4

A group or system that protects people from danger and loss

24 2.9

The lowest income needed to meet basic needs in a country

fault line
  • Specialized
23 4.7

A crack in the ground where the land moves, often causing earthquakes

23 1.8

A line at the end of a sports field that shows where players score

A set of connected questions asked to explore a topic

22 5.1

The highest level on a mountain or near the poles where trees stop growing

21 5.3

A situation where someone risks being harmed or strongly criticized

21 3.5

A straight view from your eye to an object with nothing blocking it

20 3.2

A direct phone line for urgent help or advice

gas line
  • Specialized
20 2.6

A pipe that carries natural gas to a home or building

19 3.2

A group of similar products that a company sells under one brand

19 2.8

Tracks and the ground they sit on that form a route for trains

19 2.0

A marked line where people begin a race or game

18 2.5

A line of short marks that shows where to sign, write, or cut

18 3.4

A route that brings food, goods, or fuel to a place

fuel line
  • Specialized
17 3.1

A tube that carries fuel from a tank to an engine

17 4.1

A clear border between two ideas, groups, or situations

17 2.0

A strong thin string used to catch fish with a hook

16 6.2

An invisible line on a football field where teams stand before each play

A particular way of thinking about something that a person or group follows

15 2.8

The first line of a book or article that grabs attention

A wire that carries voices so people can call each other

production line
  • Specialized
14 3.0

A series of machines and workers in a factory that make a product step by step

12 3.0

A line that shows where two counties meet

12 4.2

A hard hit in baseball that flies straight and low

12 3.7

A line that shows the edge of a piece of land and separates it from a neighbor's

11 3.2

The main story of a book, film, or play

11 3.2

A line of people at a government office waiting to get job help or benefit money

transmission line
  • Specialized
11 4.1

A cable that carries electricity or data between places

trend line
  • Specialized
10 3.5

A straight line on a graph showing the general direction of data points

bass line
  • Specialized
10 3.4

A low rhythm or melody played by bass instruments that gives music its beat and depth

10 5.2

A clear division between people or groups in a conflict

10 3.7

A group of dancers or singers who perform together on stage in a musical show

10 3.7

The largest amount a bank allows you to borrow when needed

command line
  • Specialized
10 4.8

A place where you type text commands to control a computer

10 3.2

The most important railway route used by trains

A type of product or service a company offers

A set of connected reasons that lead to a conclusion

tag line
  • Informal
9 4.2

The final funny line in a joke that makes people laugh

9 2.0

A line made by a fence that shows the edge of a field or property

sewer line
  • Specialized
8 2.5

A pipe that carries dirty water and waste from buildings to a place that cleans it

8 3.4

A line that divides a shape into two equal parts

8 3.6

A line of people dancing together while moving around to music

line of fire
  • Specialized
8 5.5

The path a bullet or other shot follows after being fired

8 5.8

A line where soldiers shoot at the enemy

8 1.6

A white stripe painted on a road to mark traffic lanes

7 1.4

A line of people waiting to pay at a store

How Continuous

edge
∞ 1.0
to border
1 3.1
to line
439 2.1
to trace
41 2.8
dash
  • Specialized
27 2.8
to dot
25 1.0

Surface Forms

line infinitive
lined past
lined past participle
lining present participle
lines third person singular

Etymology

Line as a verb also comes from the picture of forming along a thread, so to line a street is to stand or place things along its edge like beads on a string. So when trees or people line a road, they form a row along it.