queue
4 synonyms and 0 antonyms for queue, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A line of people or vehicles waiting their turn, served in the order they arrived.
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.
How to use queue
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French cöe/cue, "tail" — the same idea survives in the sense of a line of people trailing off like a tail.
Full origin of queue →Frequently asked questions
What does “queue” mean?
The word “queue” means a line of people or vehicles waiting their turn, served in the order they arrived. In plain terms, a line you wait in, or a list of things waiting to be dealt with in order.
How do you pronounce “queue”?
“Queue” is pronounced kyoo (/kju/ in IPA).
How do you use “queue” in a sentence?
Here is “queue” used in a sentence: “There was a long queue outside the bakery before it even opened.”
What part of speech is “queue”?
Depending on how it is used, “queue” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “queue” come from?
The word “queue” comes from Old French. From Old French cöe/cue, "tail" — the same idea survives in the sense of a line of people trailing off like a tail.
Is “queue” a common word?
“Queue” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “queue” have?
“Queue” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a line of people or vehicles waiting their turn, served in the order they arrived.
What is the difference between a queue and a line?
"Queue" and "line" both describe people or vehicles waiting their turn in order, but "queue" is the standard British English term while "line" is more common in American English. They refer to the same concept.
What is the difference between a queue and a waitlist?
A queue is a line of people or items waiting in the order they arrived, often served in real time, such as people waiting outside a shop. A waitlist is typically a recorded list of names waiting for an opening, such as a spot in a class, and doesn't necessarily involve physically waiting in one place.
What does queue mean in computing?
In computing, a queue is a data structure that holds items to be processed in order, usually on a first-in-first-out basis. This mirrors the everyday meaning of people waiting their turn, but applies to data or tasks instead.
How is "queue" used as a verb?
As a verb, "queue" can mean to physically line up and wait for a turn, or to add an item to a waiting list or processing order, as in "queue the file for printing." The phrase "queue up" is also commonly used for lining up.