A queue is a line of people waiting for something.

The idea

Queue is countable: a queue, two queues. In British English people commonly say queue; in American English line is more usual.

Examples

  • A queue formed outside the bakery.
  • We joined the queue for tickets.
  • The queue moved slowly this morning.
  • Please wait in the queue by the door.
  • Two queues led to different desks.
  • The queue reached the corner.

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Watch out

A queue is the line, not the ticket or the place at its front.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the best word. A ___ formed at the bus stop. (queue / ticket)

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    queue

    queue names the people waiting together.

  2. Choose the best word. There are two ___ at the museum. (queue / queues)

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    queues

    queues fits the number two.

  3. Choose the best word. In American English, people usually wait in a ___. (line / seat)

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    line

    line is the usual American word here.

Use it today

Describe a queue you might join and say what people are waiting for.