Reading Theme:
Queue: Definition, Pronunciation, and Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：line of people (queue)
queue
/kjuː/
n., v.
A line of people waiting for something.
line of people
➕
/laɪn əv ˈpiːpəl/
n., v.
A group of people standing one behind another, waiting for their turn.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'cauda' (tail), via Old French 'cue'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of a 'Q' shape like a line of people waiting.
📖 Example
There was a long queue outside the new bubble tea shop.
There was a long queue outside the new bubble tea shop.
🔗 Collocations
queue up – to form or join a line of people
stand in a queue – to wait in a line
jump the queue – to go ahead of others in a queue unfairly
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
disorder (n.) – a state of confusion or lack of order
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'queue' originates from Latin 'cauda' meaning tail. It entered English in the 18th century referring to a braided pigtail, and later to a line of people.
Meaning 2：wait in line (queue)
queue
/kjuː/
n., v.
To wait in a line for something.
wait in line
➕
/weɪt ɪn laɪn/
n., v.
To stand or wait in a line of people, typically for something to be obtained or reached.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
We had to queue for over an hour to get tickets for the concert.
We had to queue for over an hour to get tickets for the concert.
🔗 Collocations
queue for – to wait in a line to obtain something
queue up – to form or join a line
queue to do something – to wait in a line in order to do something
🔄 Synonyms
line up (v.) – to form a line or arrange in a line
wait in line (v.) – to stand in a line waiting for something
form a queue (v.) – to arrange oneself in a line
🚫 Antonyms
skip (v.) – to not wait in a line; to go ahead of others
Wordbook
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