» line

Words people most associate with “line”:

  1. straight,
  2. plane,
  3. dance,
  4. draw,
  5. cocaine

[via wordassociation.org]

Noun (30 meanings)

1. a formation of people or things one beside another.

line

Examples:
  • “the line of soldiers advanced with their bayonets fixed”,
  • “they were arrayed in line of battle”,
  • “the cast stood in line for the curtain call”
line is a type of:
  • formation (noun) - an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit
types of line:
  • chorus, chorus line (noun) - a body of dancers or singers who perform together
  • diagonal (noun) - an oblique line of squares of the same color on a checkerboard
  • linemen (noun) - the football players who line up on the line of scrimmage
  • lineup (noun) - a line of persons arranged by police for inspection or identification
  • rank (noun) - a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
  • rivet line (noun) - a line of rivets at a seam
  • row (noun) - an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

2. a mark that is long relative to its width.

line

Example:
  • “He drew a line on the chart”
line is a type of:
  • mark, print (noun) - a visible indication made on a surface
types of line:
  • ascender (noun) - (printing) the part of tall lowercase letters that extends above the other lowercase letters
  • bar line (noun) - a vertical line before the accented beat marking the boundary between musical bars
  • cross hair, cross wire (noun) - either of two fine mutually perpendicular lines that cross in the focus plane of an optical instrument and are use for sighting or calibration
  • descender (noun) - (printing) the part of lowercase letters that extends below the other lowercase letters
  • dotted line (noun) - a line made up of dots or dashes
  • graduation (noun) - a line (as on a vessel or ruler) that marks a measurement
  • guideline (noun) - a light line that is used in lettering to help align the letters
  • hairline (noun) - a very thin line
  • isometric line, isometric (noun) - a line connecting isometric points
  • ledger line, leger line (noun) - a short line
  • serif, seriph (noun) - a short line at the end of the main strokes of a character
  • shaft (noun) - a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
  • spectrum line (noun) - an isolated component of a spectrum formed by radiation at a uniform frequency
  • squiggle, curlicue (noun) - a short twisting line
  • staff line (noun) - any of the 5 horizontal marks comprising a staff
  • trend line (noun) - a line on a graph indicating a statistical trend
line is derivationally related to:

3. a formation of people or things one behind another.

line

Examples:
  • “the line stretched clear around the corner”,
  • “you must wait in a long line at the checkout counter”
line is a type of:
  • formation (noun) - an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit
types of line:
  • conga line (noun) - a line of people in single file performing the conga dance
  • diagonal (noun) - an oblique line of squares of the same color on a checkerboard
  • file, single file, Indian file (noun) - a line of persons or things ranged one behind the other
  • line of march (noun) - the arrangement of people in a line for marching
  • line of succession (noun) - the order in which individuals are expected to succeed one another in some official position
line is derivationally related to:

4. a length (straight or curved) without breadth or thickness; the trace of a moving point.

line

line is a type of:
  • shape, form (noun) - the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its substance
types of line:
  • boundary, edge, bound (noun) - a line determining the limits of an area
  • centerline, center line (noun) - a line that bisects a plane figure
  • curve (noun) - a line on a graph representing data
  • curve, curved shape (noun) - the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
  • geodesic, geodesic line (noun) - (mathematics) the shortest line between two points on a mathematically defined surface (as a straight line on a plane or an arc of a great circle on a sphere)
  • perimeter (noun) - a line enclosing a plane areas
  • straight line (noun) - a line traced by a point traveling in a constant direction

5. text consisting of a row of words written across a page or computer screen.

line

Examples:
  • “the letter consisted of three short lines”,
  • “there are six lines in every stanza”
line is a type of:
types of line:
  • actor's line, speech, words (noun) - words making up the dialogue of a play
  • bottom line (noun) - the last line in an audit
  • by-line, credit line (noun) - a line giving the name of the writer of a story or article
  • dateline (noun) - a line at the beginning of a news article giving the date and place of origin of the news dispatch
  • heading, header, head (noun) - a line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about
line is a part of:
  • letter, missive (noun) - a written message addressed to a person or organization
  • stanza (noun) - a fixed number of lines of verse forming a unit of a poem

6. a single frequency (or very narrow band) of radiation in a spectrum.

line

line is a type of:
line is a part of:

7. a fortified position (especially one marking the most forward position of troops).

line

Example:
  • “they attacked the enemy's line”
line is a type of:
types of line:
  • battle line (noun) - the line along which warring troops meet
  • battlefront, front, front line (noun) - the line along which opposing armies face each other
  • firing line (noun) - the line from which soldiers deliver fire
  • line of battle (noun) - a line formed by troops or ships prepared to deliver or receive an attack
Domain of synset - TOPIC:

8. a course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating a truth or falsehood; the methodical process of logical reasoning.

argumentation, logical argument, argument, line of reasoning, line

Example:
  • “I can't follow your line of reasoning”
line is a type of:
types of line:
  • casuistry (noun) - argumentation that is specious or excessively subtle and intended to be misleading
  • line of inquiry, line of questioning (noun) - an ordering of questions so as to develop a particular argument
  • policy (noun) - a line of argument rationalizing the course of action of a government
line is derivationally related to:

9. a conductor for transmitting electrical or optical signals or electric power.

cable, line, transmission line

line is a type of:
  • conductor (noun) - a device designed to transmit electricity, heat, etc.
types of line:
line is a part of:

10. a connected series of events or actions or developments.

course, line

Examples:
  • “the government took a firm course”,
  • “historians can only point out those lines for which evidence is available”
line is a type of:
  • series (noun) - similar things placed in order or happening one after another
types of line:
  • stream, flow, current (noun) - dominant course (suggestive of running water) of successive events or ideas

11. a spatial location defined by a real or imaginary unidimensional extent.

line

line is a type of:
  • location (noun) - a point or extent in space
types of line:
  • aclinic line, magnetic equator (noun) - an imaginary line paralleling the equator where a magnetic needle has no dip
  • agonic line (noun) - an imaginary line connecting points on the Earth's surface where the magnetic declination is zero
  • axis (noun) - a straight line through a body or figure that satisfies certain conditions
  • crest (noun) - the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
  • danger line (noun) - a line beyond which it is dangerous to go
line is derivationally related to:
  • lineal (adjective) - arranged in a line

12. a slight depression in the smoothness of a surface.

wrinkle, furrow, crease, crinkle, seam, line

Examples:
  • “his face has many lines”,
  • “ironing gets rid of most wrinkles”
line is a type of:
types of line:
line is a part of:
  • skin, tegument, cutis (noun) - a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
line is derivationally related to:

13. a pipe used to transport liquids or gases.

pipeline, line

Example:
  • “a pipeline runs from the wells to the seaport”
line is a type of:
  • pipe, pipage, piping (noun) - a long tube made of metal or plastic that is used to carry water or oil or gas etc.
types of line:
  • gas line (noun) - a pipeline used to transport natural gas
  • oil pipeline (noun) - a pipeline used to transport oil
instances of line:

14. the road consisting of railroad track and roadbed.

line, railway line, rail line

line is a type of:
  • road, route (noun) - an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
types of line:
parts of line:
line is a type of:
types of line:
  • WATS, WATS line (noun) -
  • digital subscriber line, DSL (noun) - a generic name for digital lines that are provided by telephone companies to their local subscribers and that carry data at high speeds
  • hot line (noun) - a direct telephone line between two officials
  • land line, landline (noun) - a telephone line that travels over terrestrial circuits
  • party line (noun) - a telephone line serving two or more subscribers
  • private line (noun) - a telephone line serving a single subscriber
  • toll line (noun) - a telephone line for long-distance calls
  • trunk line (noun) - a telephone line connecting two exchanges directly

16. acting in conformity.

line

Examples:
  • “in line with”,
  • “he got out of line”,
  • “toe the line”
line is a type of:
Example:
  • “his entire lineage has been warriors”
line is a type of:
types of line:
line is derivationally related to:

18. something (as a cord or rope) that is long and thin and flexible.

line

Example:
  • “a washing line”
line is a type of:
types of line:
  • becket (noun) - (nautical) a short line with an eye at one end and a knot at the other
  • cord (noun) - a line made of twisted fibers or threads
  • lanyard, laniard (noun) - (nautical) a line used for extending or fastening rigging on ships
  • lifeline (noun) - line thrown from a vessel that people can cling to in order to save themselves from drowning
  • lifeline (noun) - line that raises or lowers a deep-sea diver
  • mooring, mooring line (noun) - (nautical) a line that holds an object (especially a boat) in place
  • painter (noun) - a line that is attached to the bow of a boat and used for tying up (as when docking or towing)
  • ratline, ratlin (noun) - (nautical) a small horizontal rope between the shrouds of a sailing ship
  • rope (noun) - a strong line
  • sheet, tack, mainsheet, weather sheet, shroud (noun) - (nautical) a line (rope or chain) that regulates the angle at which a sail is set in relation to the wind
  • shroud (noun) - a line that suspends the harness from the canopy of a parachute
  • strand (noun) - line consisting of a complex of fibers or filaments that are twisted together to form a thread or a rope or a cable
  • towline, towrope, towing line, towing rope (noun) - (nautical) a rope used in towing
  • trace (noun) - either of two lines that connect a horse's harness to a wagon or other vehicle or to a whiffletree
parts of line:
  • bitter end (noun) - (nautical) the inboard end of a line or cable especially the end that is wound around a bitt
  • drip loop (noun) - a downward hanging loop in a line that runs to a building

19. the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money.

occupation, business, job, line of work, line

Example:
  • “he's not in my line of business”
line is a type of:
types of line:
  • accountancy, accounting (noun) - the occupation of maintaining and auditing records and preparing financial reports for a business
  • appointment (noun) - the job to which you are (or hope to be) appointed
  • career, calling, vocation (noun) - the particular occupation for which you are trained
  • catering (noun) - providing food and services
  • confectionery (noun) - the occupation and skills of a confectioner
  • employment, work (noun) - the occupation for which you are paid
  • farming, land (noun) - agriculture considered as an occupation or way of life
  • game, biz (noun) - your occupation or line of work
  • metier, medium (noun) - an occupation for which you are especially well suited
  • photography (noun) - the occupation of taking and printing photographs or making movies
  • position, post, berth, office, spot, billet, place, situation (noun) - a job in an organization
  • profession (noun) - an occupation requiring special education (especially in the liberal arts or sciences)
  • sport (noun) - the occupation of athletes who compete for pay
  • trade, craft (noun) - the skilled practice of a practical occupation
  • treadmill, salt mine (noun) - a job involving drudgery and confinement
line is derivationally related to:

20. in games or sports; a mark indicating positions or bounds of the playing area.

line

line is a type of:
  • mark, print (noun) - a visible indication made on a surface
types of line:
  • balkline, baulk-line, string line (noun) - line across a billiard table behind which the cue balls are placed at the start of a game
  • baseline (noun) - the lines a baseball player must follow while running the bases
  • finishing line, finish line (noun) - a line indicating the location of the finish of a race
  • foul line (noun) - lines through 1st and 3rd base indicating the boundaries of a baseball field
  • foul line (noun) - a line across a bowling alley that a bowler must not cross

21. (often plural) a means of communication or access.

channel, communication channel, line

Examples:
  • “it must go through official channels”,
  • “lines of communication were set up between the two firms”
line is a type of:
types of line:
  • back channel (noun) - an alternative to the regular channels of communication that is used when agreements must be made secretly (especially in diplomacy or government)
  • lens (noun) - (metaphor) a channel through which something can be seen or understood
  • liaison, link, contact, inter-group communication (noun) - a channel for communication between groups
  • spiel, patter, line of gab (noun) - plausible glib talk (especially useful to a salesperson)
line is derivationally related to:
Domain of synset - USAGE:

22. a particular kind of product or merchandise.

line, product line, line of products, line of merchandise, business line, line of business

Example:
  • “a nice line of shoes”
line is a type of:
types of line:
  • sideline (noun) - an auxiliary line of merchandise
parts of line:
  • top of the line (noun) - the best (most expensive) in a given line of merchandise

23. a commercial organization serving as a common carrier.

line

line is a type of:
  • carrier, common carrier (noun) - a person or firm in the business of transporting people or goods or messages
types of line:
line is a part of:

24. space for one line of print (one column wide and 1/14 inch deep) used to measure advertising.

agate line, line

line is a type of:

25. the maximum credit that a customer is allowed.

credit line, line of credit, bank line, line, personal credit line, personal line of credit

line is a type of:
  • credit (noun) - money available for a client to borrow
types of line:
  • consumer credit (noun) - a line of credit extended for personal or household use

26. a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence.

tune, melody, air, strain, melodic line, line, melodic phrase

Example:
  • “she was humming an air from Beethoven”
line is a type of:
  • music (noun) - an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
types of line:
  • flourish, fanfare, tucket (noun) - (music) a short lively tune played on brass instruments
  • glissando (noun) - a rapid series of ascending or descending notes on the musical scale
  • leitmotiv, leitmotif (noun) - a melodic phrase that accompanies the reappearance of a person or situation (as in Wagner's operas)
  • part, voice (noun) - the melody carried by a particular voice or instrument in polyphonic music
  • roulade (noun) - (music) an elaborate run of several notes sung to one syllable
parts of line:
line is derivationally related to:

27. persuasive but insincere talk that is usually intended to deceive or impress.

line

Examples:
  • “`let me show you my etchings' is a rather worn line”,
  • “he has a smooth line but I didn't fall for it”,
  • “that salesman must have practiced his fast line of talk”
line is a type of:

28. a short personal letter.

note, short letter, line, billet

Example:
  • “drop me a line when you get there”
line is a type of:
types of line:
  • excuse (noun) - a note explaining an absence

29. a conceptual separation or distinction.

line, dividing line, demarcation, contrast

Example:
  • “there is a narrow line between sanity and insanity”
line is a type of:
types of line:
  • Rubicon, point of no return (noun) - a line that when crossed permits of no return and typically results in irrevocable commitment
line is derivationally related to:
  • to contrast (verb) - put in opposition to show or emphasize differences
  • to contrast, counterpoint (verb) - to show differences when compared
  • to demarcate (verb) - separate clearly, as if by boundaries

30. mechanical system in a factory whereby an article is conveyed through sites at which successive operations are performed on it.

production line, assembly line, line

line is a type of:
  • mechanical system (noun) - a system of elements that interact on mechanical principles
line is a part of:
parts of line:

Verb (6 meanings)

1. be in line with; form a line along.

to line, run along

Example:
  • “trees line the riverbank”
to line is a way to:
  • to lie (verb) - be located or situated somewhere
ways to line:
  • to rim (verb) - run around the rim of
to line is derivationally related to:
  • line (noun) - a formation of people or things one behind another

2. cover the interior of.

to line

Examples:
  • “line the gloves”,
  • “line a chimney”
to line is a way to:
  • to cover (verb) - provide with a covering or cause to be covered
ways to line:
  • to babbitt (verb) - line with a Babbitt metal
  • to crib (verb) - line with beams or planks
  • to face (verb) - line the edge (of a garment) with a different material
  • to reline (verb) - provide with a new lining
to line is derivationally related to:
  • liner, lining (noun) - a piece of cloth that is used as the inside surface of a garment
  • lining (noun) - the act of attaching an inside lining (to a garment or curtain etc.)
  • lining, liner (noun) - a protective covering that protects an inside surface

3. make a mark or lines on a surface.

to trace, draw, line, describe, delineate

Examples:
  • “draw a line”,
  • “trace the outline of a figure in the sand”
to line is a way to:
  • to mark (verb) - make or leave a mark on
ways to line:
  • to circumscribe (verb) - draw a line around
  • to circumscribe (verb) - to draw a geometric figure around another figure so that the two are in contact but do not intersect
  • to construct (verb) - draw with suitable instruments and under specified conditions
  • to inscribe (verb) - draw within a figure so as to touch in as many places as possible
  • to write (verb) - mark or trace on a surface
to line is derivationally related to:
  • outline, lineation (noun) - the line that appears to bound an object
  • tracer (noun) - an instrument used to make tracings
  • tracing (noun) - the act of drawing a plan or diagram or outline
  • tracing, trace (noun) - a drawing created by superimposing a semitransparent sheet of paper on the original image and copying on it the lines of the original image
Verb group:
  • to draw (verb) - engage in drawing
  • to draw (verb) - represent by making a drawing of, as with a pencil, chalk, etc. on a surface

4. mark with lines.

to line

Example:
  • “sorrow had lined his face”
to line is a way to:
  • to score, nock, mark (verb) - make small marks into the surface of
ways to line:
  • to crisscross (verb) - mark with or consist of a pattern of crossed lines
  • to hatch (verb) - draw, cut, or engrave lines, usually parallel, on metal, wood, or paper
  • to reline (verb) - put new lines on
to line is derivationally related to:

5. fill plentifully.

to line

Example:
  • “line one's pockets”
to line is a way to:

6. reinforce with fabric.

to line

Example:
  • “lined books are more enduring”
to line is a way to: