links
4 synonyms for links, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A golf course, especially one built on grassy dunes near the sea.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
golf course
fairways
How to use links
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a links course
play the links
Etymology
From Scots links, "sandy, rolling ground near the seashore," from Old English hlincas ("hills, rising ground").
Full origin of links →Frequently asked questions
What does “links” mean?
The word “links” means a golf course, especially one built on grassy dunes near the sea. In plain terms, a seaside golf course, traditionally built on sandy, rolling ground.
How do you pronounce “links”?
“Links” is pronounced lihngks (/lɪŋks/ in IPA).
How do you use “links” in a sentence?
Here is “links” used in a sentence: “They played a round on the famous Scottish links.”
What part of speech is “links”?
“Links” is a noun.
Where does the word “links” come from?
The word “links” comes from Old English. From Scots links, "sandy, rolling ground near the seashore," from Old English hlincas ("hills, rising ground").
Is “links” a common word?
“Links” is a very common word in modern English.
What is the difference between links and a golf course?
All links are golf courses, but not every golf course is a links. "Links" refers specifically to a seaside course laid out on sandy, dune-covered coastal land, with firm turf, few trees, and natural undulations. Inland or parkland courses, though also golf courses, are not true links.
Why is a golf course called links?
The word comes from the Old English "hlinc," meaning rising ground or ridge. It described the sandy, grassy coastal dunes — unsuitable for farming but ideal for golf — where the game first developed in Scotland. These stretches of linksland gave the courses built on them their name.
What is an example of a links course?
The Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland is the most famous links, regarded as the home of golf. Other renowned examples include Royal Troon, Carnoustie, and Ballybunion in Ireland. Many Open Championship venues are traditional seaside links laid out along the coast.
Is links singular or plural?
Although it ends in "s," "links" in the golfing sense behaves as a single place — you play "a links" or "the links." It is unrelated to the plural of "link." This unusual grammar reflects its origin as a collective term for coastal dune land.
