# lime

/ˈɫaɪm/ (US) · /lˈaɪm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lime
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the fruit

noun · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. the colour

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. the chemical

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. the tree

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. to socialise

verb · CEFR C1 · Dialect · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

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

### 6. flavour or content

adjective · CEFR B1

having the taste or smell of lime fruit.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- I always squeeze a fresh lime into my water.
- The chef added a squeeze of lime to the fish tacos to balance the spicy flavors.
- While lemons are often preferred for their bright acidity, the lime offers a distinctively sharp, aromatic profile that is essential to many tropical cuisines.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.