lime

IPA/laɪm/
KK[lˈaɪm]IPA/laɪm/

lime — noun

  • limesingular
  • limesplural

1. A small, round, green citrus fruit with a sharp, sour taste, sometimes used to a

1.nounB1
Definition

A small, round, green citrus fruit with a sharp, sour taste, sometimes used to add flavour to food and drinks. The tree that bears this fruit is also called a lime.

Example

Kenji squeezed fresh lime juice over the grilled fish before serving it.

collocation: lime juice + squeeze over

The recipe calls for the juice of two limes and a pinch of salt.

countable: two limes

Common collocations
  • lime juice
  • lime zest
  • lime wedge
  • slice of lime
  • squeeze of lime
  • lime tree
  • lime green
Synonyms
  • key lime

    a specific small, very tart variety of lime, often used in pies

  • Persian lime

    the common large, seedless variety sold in most supermarkets

Grammar Patterns

lime (singular)

limes (plural)

Usage Note

Commonly confused with lemon: limes are smaller, greener, and tarter. In Taiwan, the green citrus fruit is called 萊姆 (lime) while the yellow one is called 檸檬 (lemon).

Common Mistakes

Add a slice of lemon to the iced tea.' (when the drink calls for the green citrus fruit).
Add a slice of lime to the iced tea.
Limes are green and smaller than yellow lemons.

2. A large deciduous tree that is recognizable by its heart-shaped foliage and clus

2.nounB2
Definition

A large deciduous tree that is recognizable by its heart-shaped foliage and clusters of sweet-smelling pale yellow flowers, commonly planted in parks and gardens of cooler European and North American regions.

Example

A row of old lime trees lined the main avenue of the park in Berlin.

collocation: row of lime trees

In early summer, the lime tree by Tariq's home fills the street with sweet scent.

British English: 'lime tree' = linden (Tilia)

Common collocations
  • lime tree
  • lime wood
  • lime flower
  • lime blossom
  • heart-shaped leaves
  • fragrant flowers
Synonyms
  • linden

    the more common American English term for the Tilia tree

  • basswood

    American term for several species of Tilia, especially valued for wood

Grammar Patterns

lime tree (singular)

lime trees (plural)

Usage Note

In British English, 'lime tree' commonly refers to this ornamental Tilia tree, not the citrus fruit tree. In American English, this tree is usually called a 'linden' or 'basswood' to avoid confusion with the citrus fruit.

Common Mistakes

The lime tree in the park produces small green fruits.' (confusing linden with the citrus tree).
The lime tree in the park has beautiful heart-shaped leaves and fragrant flowers.
The Tilia tree is ornamental and does not bear citrus fruit.

3. A white powder produced when limestone is heated, used in agriculture to reduce

3.nounB2
Definition

A white powder produced when limestone is heated, used in agriculture to reduce soil acidity and in construction to make cement and mortar.

Example

Tariro spread lime on the acidic soil to help the vegetables grow better.

collocation: spread lime on soil

The construction crew mixed lime with sand and water to make plaster for old walls.

collocation: mix lime with sand and water

Common collocations
  • spread lime
  • apply lime
  • agricultural lime
  • quicklime
  • slaked lime
  • lime mortar
  • lime plaster
  • lime kiln
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

lime (as a substance)

Usage Note

This substance is called 'quicklime' when it is calcium oxide and 'slaked lime' when mixed with water (calcium hydroxide). As an uncountable noun, it does not take an article when used generally: 'Farmers use lime to improve soil.'

Common Mistakes

She added lime to the soup for more flavour.' (confusing agricultural lime with the citrus fruit).
The gardener added lime to the soil to reduce acidity.
Agricultural lime is a mineral powder made from limestone, completely different from the green citrus fruit.

4. A hard, white or greyish substance formed from calcium and magnesium compounds t

4.nounB2
Definition

A hard, white or greyish substance formed from calcium and magnesium compounds that accumulates inside pipes, kettles, and similar containers, especially in regions with hard, mineral-rich water.

Example

A thick layer of lime built up inside our kettle from years of hard water.

collocation: layer of lime / lime built up

Iris used a descaling solution to remove the lime from the shower head and taps.

collocation: remove lime / descaling

Common collocations
  • lime deposits
  • lime buildup
  • limescale
  • descaling solution
  • hard water
  • remove lime
  • layer of lime
Synonyms
  • limescale

    the more common expanded term, especially in British home-care products

  • scale

    shorter general term for any mineral buildup in pipes or appliances

  • mineral deposit

    more general term used across varieties of English

Grammar Patterns

lime (as a deposit)

Usage Note

Chiefly British English. In American English, this substance is more commonly called 'mineral deposit' or simply 'scale.' The term 'limescale' is also used widely in British households.

lime — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Lime, lemon, and calamansi are all sour citrus fruits, but they differ in appearance, flavour, and culinary use. Limes are small, round, and bright green with a sharp, tart taste; they are commonly used in Thai and Vietnamese dishes, cocktails, and pies. Lemons are larger, oval, and yellow, with a milder, floral acidity that works well in salad dressings, lemonade, and baked goods. Calamansi (also called calamondin) is a tiny round fruit popular in the Philippines and Taiwan, with a thin orange-yellow skin and juice that is sour with a hint of sweetness — somewhere between a lime and a mandarin orange. When using calamansi in place of lime, expect a less sharp and slightly sweeter result. For a classic margarita, lime is essential; for lemonade, use lemons; for a Filipino dipping sauce, calamansi is the traditional choice.

lime ↗lemon ↗calamansi

Common collocations

Nouns

  • lime juice
  • lime zest
  • lime tree
  • lime wood
  • lime deposits
  • lime powder

Prepositions

  • with lime

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishEnglish

The English word 'lime' comes from two completely separate historical roots. The earthy, mineral sense (used for agricultural treatment and limestone) traces back to Old English 'līm' meaning a sticky or adhesive substance, from Proto-Germanic '*līm-' and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European '*ley-' meaning 'to be sticky.' This root also gave us 'loam' and 'limestone.' The citrus fruit sense entered English through French 'limon,' from Arabic 'līmūn,' from Persian 'līmū.' These two meanings — the mineral powder and the green fruit — happened to sound the same in English by coincidence, though they have entirely different origins.

First known use

12th century

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb