Word
lime
US/ˈɫaɪm/
UK/lˈaɪm/
Definitions
01the fruit
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
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
03the chemical
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
04the tree
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
05to socialise
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
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
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Scan code
englishreference.com/q/lime