sightline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sightline" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to visibility, such as architecture, design, or photography, to refer to an unobstructed line of sight. Example: "The architect ensured that every seat in the theater had a clear sightline to the stage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Reyes looked up the street, surveying her options, when a young child crossed her sightline.

The New Yorker

A professional grip [a rigger] knows you don't walk through the sightline.

The New Yorker

Portishead don't move around much, though the lead singer Beth Gibbons is hard not to watch no matter how much she would rather you didn't look at her. (When not singing, she usually turned her back and bobbed her head, looking off and down, out of anyone's sightline).

The New Yorker

— It is as if a towering tree in Cristie Kerr's sightline was uprooted this month, leaving her with a less-obstructed path to the world No. 1 ranking.

The New York Times - Sports

Paula Winokur's "Palisades Pinnacle (Porcelain)" gives gallerygoers a direct sightline to the stone peaks that jut up from the cliffs' crest.

The New York Times

The bridge is oriented perpendicularly to the Grand Allée sightline, rather than in line with it, as it is at Giverny, and the pond is smaller than a putting green.

The New York Times - Arts

But since the rest of us were all pursuing careers and wild nights on the side, marriage wasn't really in our sightline just yet, so I think we missed the signs.

The New York Times

And Zvonareva asked that the match be stopped briefly while a woman in her sightline was given medical attention in the stands, but the chair umpire Mariana Alves told them to continue.

The New York Times - Sports

His remarks were taken as confirmation that the films — doing away with nosebleed seats, eliminating sightline problems and offering vivid close-ups of performers — undermine actual operagoing.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

All the Mets' money from cable television and bad-sightline seats and taxpayer-supported naming rights might not turn the club into a winner.

The New York Times - Sports

"There's something for everybody, which means there's something for everybody to hate," says Clark Williams-Derry at the Sightline Institute, a left-leaning think-tank.Yet the biggest hurdle may be political.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When designing spaces, consider how elements affect the "sightline" from various viewpoints to ensure optimal visibility and aesthetic appeal.

Common error

Avoid confusing "sightline", which refers to a line of vision, with "headline", which refers to the title of a news article or other piece of writing. Using the wrong word can significantly alter the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sightline" is as a noun, referring to a line of vision. Ludwig examples show it used to describe unobstructed views in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sightline" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun that refers to a line of vision. As confirmed by Ludwig, it commonly appears in News & Media contexts, with neutral register suitable for both formal and informal use. It's important not to confuse it with "headline". Consider using related phrases like "line of sight" or "viewing angle" for variety. When designing spaces, always consider the impact on the "sightline" from different perspectives to optimize visibility. Overall, "sightline" is a versatile term that enhances clarity in discussions about visual access.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

line of sight

This is a direct synonym, referring to the straight line along which an observer has unobstructed vision.

clear view

Indicates that the view is not obstructed or unclear.

line of vision

Similar to "line of sight", emphasizing the act of seeing.

direct view

Emphasizes an unobstructed and clear view.

unobstructed view

Highlights that nothing is blocking the view.

viewing angle

Focuses on the angle from which something is viewed, implying a specific perspective.

visual axis

A more technical term, often used in optics or design, to refer to the line of sight.

field of vision

Refers to the entire area visible to an observer, rather than a specific line.

perspective

Highlights the viewpoint and spatial relationship between the observer and the object.

visual range

Indicates the distance over which something can be seen clearly.

FAQs

How is "sightline" typically used in a sentence?

"Sightline" is used to describe an unobstructed view between an observer and an object of interest. For example, "The architect ensured a clear sightline to the stage from every seat."

What is a good alternative to using "sightline"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "line of sight", "viewing angle", or "visual axis".

In what contexts is "sightline" most commonly used?

"Sightline" is frequently used in contexts related to architecture, design, sports, and event planning, where visibility is a key consideration.

What does it mean to have an "obstructed sightline"?

An "obstructed sightline" means that something is blocking the view between an observer and an object, preventing a clear view. You could also describe this as a "blocked view".