lime
lime — noun
1. A small, round, green citrus fruit with a sharp, sour taste, sometimes used to a
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.
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
A slice of lime floating in the sparkling water makes it look more elegant.
Marta picked a lime from the tree in her grandmother's backyard in Taipei.
Lime zest adds a bright flavour to baked desserts such as cakes and cookies.
- 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
文法句型
lime (singular)
limes (plural)
用法筆記
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).
常見錯誤
2. A large deciduous tree that is recognizable by its heart-shaped foliage and clus
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.
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)
The carpenter used lime wood for carving since it is soft and easy to shape.
Children played beneath the broad shade of a large lime tree in the village square.
文法句型
lime tree (singular)
lime trees (plural)
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
3. A white powder produced when limestone is heated, used in agriculture to reduce
A white powder produced when limestone is heated, used in agriculture to reduce soil acidity and in construction to make cement and mortar.
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
Before planting the garden, Lara added lime to balance the pH level of the earth.
Lime is a key ingredient in traditional mortar that holds bricks together in old buildings.
- quicklime
calcium oxide form, more reactive and caustic
- slaked lime
calcium hydroxide, made by adding water to quicklime
- agricultural lime
crushed limestone used specifically for farming
文法句型
lime (as a substance)
用法筆記
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.'
常見錯誤
4. A hard, white or greyish substance formed from calcium and magnesium compounds t
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.
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
In regions with hard water, lime can clog pipes and reduce water flow over time.
Vinegar works well for cleaning lime deposits off bathroom tiles and kitchen surfaces.
- 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
文法句型
lime (as a deposit)
用法筆記
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
1. To spread or apply lime powder onto land or soil in order to improve its chemica
To spread or apply lime powder onto land or soil in order to improve its chemical balance for growing crops or plants.
The farmer limed the fields every spring to keep the soil healthy for the wheat.
agricultural pattern: lime the fields in spring
Before planting the avocado trees, you should lime the ground to reduce acidity.
Last autumn the gardening club limed the community garden, and now the vegetables are thriving.
After a soil test showed high acidity, the farmer limed the whole orchard that weekend.
文法句型
lime + object (land/soil/field)
用法筆記
Used primarily in agricultural and gardening contexts. The object must be land, soil, or a growing area — not the plants themselves. You 'lime the field,' not 'lime the vegetables.'