English Reference

Word

lime

US/ˈɫaɪm/

UK/lˈaɪm/

Definitions

01the fruit

A2

n. a small, sour green fruit that is similar to a lemon.

n. the small, acidic, green citrus fruit of various species, primarily Citrus aurantiifolia.

“She squeezed a fresh lime over her fish tacos for extra flavour.”

“The bartender garnished the cocktail with a thin slice of lime to balance the sweetness of the syrup.”

Synonyms

02the colour

B1

n. a bright, light green colour like the skin of the fruit.

n. a bright, vibrant shade of yellowish-green resembling the rind of a lime fruit.

“He wore a lime green shirt so his friends could find him in the crowd.”

“The interior designer suggested lime accents to provide a modern contrast against the dark grey walls of the studio.”

Synonyms

lime-greenyellow-green

03the chemical

B2 · Science

n. a white substance made from calcium used in building or to help plants grow.

n. an inorganic calcium-containing material, usually calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide, used in mortar, plaster, and agriculture.

“The farmer spread lime on the fields to improve the quality of the soil.”

“Historically, builders mixed lime with sand and water to create a durable mortar for stone walls.”

Technical

Synonyms

quicklimecalcium oxide

04the tree

B2

n. a type of large tree with heart-shaped leaves, also called a linden tree.

n. a deciduous tree of the genus Tilia, common in temperate regions and often used for its soft wood.

“The long street was lined with tall lime trees that provided plenty of shade.”

“In early summer, the scent of the flowering lime trees fills the parks of many European cities.”

British English

Synonyms

lindenbasswood

05to socialise

C1

v. to hang out and relax with friends in a casual way.

v. to socialise or spend time in an informal, relaxed manner with others.

“We spent the whole afternoon just liming on the beach with some music.”

“The locals were liming outside the shop, enjoying the cool evening air after a long day of work.”

Dialect · Informal

Teaching tip

This sense is specific to Caribbean English, particularly in Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

06flavour or content

B1 · Cooking

adj. having the taste or smell of lime fruit.

adj. containing lime juice or having the characteristic aroma and flavour of the fruit.

“I prefer lime soda over lemon because it tastes sharper.”

“The recipe calls for a tablespoon of lime zest to enhance the citrus profile of the cake.”

Word family

Related words

Domains

ChemistryTheater

This entry

Level
A2 · Elementary
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

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English Reference