Word
shoreline
Phoneticsshore·line, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈʃɔɹˌɫaɪn/
UK/ʃˈɔːlaɪn/
Definitions
01the edge of the water
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. the edge of a sea, lake, or ocean where it touches the land.
n. the physical boundary where a body of water meets the land.
“We walked along the shoreline at sunset, watching the waves come in.”
“The winter storms significantly eroded the shoreline, leaving several coastal properties vulnerable to the rising tides.”
Synonyms
02on a map
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the line on a map that shows where the water and land meet.
n. the cartographic representation of the boundary between land and water.
“The map shows a very jagged shoreline with many small bays.”
“The cartographer spent weeks refining the shoreline on the new charts to ensure local sailors could navigate the rocky inlets safely.”
Teaching tip
This sense is more technical and specific to geography or map-reading.
Etymology
From shore + line.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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