ENGLISH
REFERENCE

horizon

n. countable
C1 Advanced Oxford US //hɝˈaɪzən// UK //həɹˈaɪzən// hori·zon

n. the line in the distance where the land or sea seems to meet the sky. You can also use it to talk about the limit of your knowledge or future plans.

n. the apparent line that separates earth from sky; the limit of a person's mental perception, experience, or interest. Often used metaphorically to describe future prospects or upcoming events.


SIMPLE

The sun slowly sank below the horizon.

CONTEXTUAL

Traveling to different countries helped her expand her horizons and understand new cultures.

COMPLEX

As the ship sailed further into the Atlantic, the coastline vanished entirely, leaving nothing but a flat blue horizon in every direction.

Synonyms
Origin

Inherited from Middle English orisonte, orisoun, from Middle French horizon, horizonte, from Old French orisonte, orison, via Latin horizōn, from Ancient Greek ὁρίζων (horízōn), from ὅρος (hóros, “boundary”).

Usage

Frequently used in the plural form ('horizons') when referring to the limits of a person's experience or knowledge.

Pitfall

on the horizontalon the horizonLearners sometimes confuse the noun 'horizon' with the adjective 'horizontal' when describing something appearing in the distance.

© 2026 English Reference