Word
queueing
Phoneticsqueue·ing
Definition
v. to wait in a line of people for your turn — for a bus, in a shop, or at an airport.
v. to wait in an ordered line for goods, services, or entry, taking turns in arrival order. Retains the silent 'e' in British spelling, giving 'queueing' alongside the variant 'queuing'.
Examples
“People are queueing outside the bakery for fresh bread.”
“Passengers are queueing at the check-in desk because two morning flights were delayed.”
“Commuters are queueing along the platform in the rain while staff announce further delays to the evening service.”
Examples
simple
“People are queueing outside the bakery for fresh bread.”
contextual
“Passengers are queueing at the check-in desk because two morning flights were delayed.”
complex
“Commuters are queueing along the platform in the rain while staff announce further delays to the evening service.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “queueing” in context.
Verb
01. avoid queue
“We got up early to avoid queueing at the airport.”
verb + verb
02. hate queue
“I hate queueing in the rain for the bus.”
verb + verb
03. queue for
“We queued for half an hour for the bus this morning.”
verb + prep
04. queue outside
“Crowds queued outside the store for the sale to start.”
verb + prep
05. queue up
“Everyone queued up outside the cinema to buy tickets.”
verb + particle
Adjective
06. patiently queue
“We patiently queued for over an hour to buy concert tickets.”
adv + verb
07. politely queue
“In Britain people politely queue and wait for their turn.”
adv + verb
Noun
08. queue area
“Please wait in the queue area until your number is called.”
noun + noun
09. queue system
“The airport has a clear queue system for check-in.”
noun + noun
10. join the queue
“We joined the queue for tickets outside the stadium.”
11. jump the queue
“It is rude to jump the queue when others are waiting.”
12. queue around the block
“Fans queued around the block for the new phone.”
Usage
Intransitive; often followed by 'for' for the goal or 'at' for the place.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/queueing