As a noun, a line is a long thin mark on a surface, a series of people or things arranged one after another, or a row of words in a text. As a verb, to line means to cover or form a border along the inside edge of something, or to arrange objects in a row.
What Does Line Mean?
Line is one of the most common and versatile words in the English language. At its simplest it names a thin mark — the kind you draw with a pencil or ruler. From there the meaning expands in many directions: a line of text on a page, a line of people waiting, a product line in a shop, a railway line, a line in a play, even a brief message ("drop me a line").
The verb to line has two main senses. The first is physical: trees lined the road means trees stood along both sides of it. The second involves covering a surface from the inside: a coat lined with silk, a drawer lined with paper. The phrasal verb line up means to arrange in a row or to prepare a series of things.
Because line appears in so many collocations and idioms, it is worth studying in groups rather than as a single isolated definition. The sections below cover the most useful patterns at A2 through C1 level.
Etymology
Line descends from Old English līne, meaning a cord or rope. This was borrowed from Latin linea — a thread of flax, and hence a straight line — which comes from linum (flax, the plant used to make linen and rope). Because craftsmen and builders stretched a taut cord to mark a straight path, the sense of a thin mark or boundary developed naturally. The word has been in continuous use in English since before the Norman Conquest of 1066.
Example Sentences (A2–C1)
| Sentence | Level & note |
|---|---|
| Draw a line under each answer. | A2 — physical mark; imperative instruction |
| There was a long line of people waiting outside the cinema. | B1 — series/queue; noun + of + noun phrase |
| She memorised every line of the poem before the recital. | B1 — row of text; academic/literary context |
| Oak trees lined the avenue all the way to the manor house. | B2 — verb sense: border/stand along; formal description |
| The minister was accused of crossing the line between firm policy and outright authoritarianism. | C1 — idiomatic: go beyond an acceptable limit; political/formal register |
Common Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| draw a line | make a mark; also: set a limit | Draw a line at the bottom of the page. |
| cross the line | go beyond what is acceptable | That joke crossed the line. |
| bottom line | the most important point; net result | The bottom line is that we have no budget. |
| drop someone a line | send a short message or letter | Drop me a line when you arrive. |
| read between the lines | understand an implied meaning | Reading between the lines, she was unhappy. |
| line up | arrange in a row; prepare a series | Line up the chairs before the guests arrive. |
| in line with | consistent with; in accordance with | The decision is in line with our policy. |
| on the line | at risk; also: on the telephone | Her reputation was on the line. |
Usage Notes
Noun: mark vs. queue vs. text
The three most common noun senses — a drawn mark, a row of waiting people, and a row of printed words — are all equally standard in British English. For the queue sense, British English also uses queue as an alternative, which is often preferred in formal writing: Please join the queue rather than Please join the line.
Verb: physical border vs. inner lining
When trees, soldiers, or spectators line a street, they stand along its sides. When a garment or box is lined, the interior surface is covered with a different material. These are distinct senses; context makes them clear, but learners sometimes confuse them.
Register
Many line idioms are informal or semi-formal (drop me a line, read between the lines). The phrase the bottom line began in accountancy but is now common across all registers. In line with is formal and frequent in business and official documents.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
He was waiting in the line for an hour. (unnatural in British English)
He was waiting in the queue for an hour. (British English prefers queue for a row of waiting people)
The coat was lining with wool.
The coat was lined with wool. (past participle, not present participle, in passive constructions)