queue

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "queue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a line of people or things waiting for something. For example: "The queue for the concert tickets stretched for blocks down the street".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We stood in front of an impatient queue of people at the entrance, their hopes of getting into the prison fading fast.

The Guardian

At the bottom end, consumers are beginning to see through the old lie that supermarkets are always cheaper (my greengrocer beats the prices at Sainsbury's every time, which is why there's always a queue).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Shepherd's Life: A Tale of the Lake District (Allen Lane) is out next month SM The Texas state capital's vibrant food truck scene nurtured the phenomenon that is Franklin Barbecue, which has been putting the queue into barbecue at permanent premises since 2011.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In Queensland, it seems, bands can't wait to queue up to offer support – or at the least, their silence – in exchange for a few dollars.

The Guardian - Music

I am curious to find out how the mystery ends, but I wouldn't break your neck trying to add this one to the queue.

The Guardian

Smiling nicely at several attractive women who seemed strangely uninterested in having sex with him, Bond shuffled his way towards the front of the taxi queue.

The Guardian - Travel

But in the queue, Matt Dean, all the way from Stoke-on-Trent, says he's missed the big-name celebrity films.

The Guardian - Film

"Let her join the queue," Kwairanga instructed his harried volunteers.

The Guardian

Meanwhile the self-proclaimed rich can skip the queue and proceed up the red carpet to buy cardboard burgers for 600,000 forints (£1,560).

The Guardian

For the next three weeks, people in need can queue for six hours to receive 3,400 forints (around £9) in a burger box for their trouble, the same amount they would have made by working for the minimum wage.

The Guardian

A local woman told me with disdain that Japanese tourists queue outside Gucci at 8am during the sales.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "queue" in the context of computer science, ensure that you specify the type of queue (e.g., FIFO queue, priority queue) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid confusing "queue" (a line or sequence) with "cue" (a signal or prompt). Using the wrong word can drastically change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The word "queue" primarily functions as a noun referring to a line of people or things waiting, or as a verb meaning to get into a line. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its usage in both contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

25%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Sport

8%

Opinion

6%

Arts

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "queue" is a versatile term that functions as both a noun and a verb, commonly used to describe an ordered waiting line. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its frequency is classified as "very common", especially in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Travel contexts. While related to concepts like "waiting line", it's important not to confuse it with "cue", a signal. When writing, consider the specific type of "queue" if used in a technical context. Many authoritative sources such as The Guardian, The New York Times, and BBC use the word “queue”, which demonstrates its wide acceptance and applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

waiting line

Emphasizes the act of waiting in a line.

line of people

Highlights the physical formation of people in a line.

orderly line

Implies a structured and organized line.

sequence

Focuses on the order or arrangement of items or events.

file

Suggests a single line of people or things one behind the other.

procession

Implies a formal or ceremonial line.

batch

Refers to a group of items processed together, like a queue in computing.

string

Suggests a series of items connected or following one another.

train

Indicates a succession of connected things or events.

succession

Highlights the act of following in order or sequence.

FAQs

How to use "queue" in a sentence?

You can use "queue" as a noun, like in "There was a long queue at the entrance", or as a verb, like in "People began to queue up outside the store before it opened".

What can I say instead of "queue"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "waiting line", "line of people", or "orderly line".

Which is correct, "queue" or "cue"?

"Queue" refers to a line of people or items waiting, while "cue" is a signal or prompt. They are distinct words with different meanings and spellings.

What's the difference between "queue" and "backlog"?

"Queue" implies an ordered line where items are processed in sequence, while "backlog" refers to an accumulation of tasks or items that need to be processed but aren't necessarily in a strict order.