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noun A2 Elementary Uncommon

aisle

yl
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Aisle (noun) means a long, narrow passage between rows of seats, shelves, or pews. Example: “He walked down the aisle to find his seat before the film started.”

noun
1
A long, narrow passage between rows of seats, shelves, or pews.
"He walked down the aisle to find his seat before the film started."
"She grabbed a jar of pasta sauce from aisle six."
"The cinema aisle was dark, so I used my phone to find my row."
2
The path a bride walks down during a wedding ceremony, and by extension, marriage itself.
"They're finally walking down the aisle this summer."
"Her father cried as he led her down the aisle."
"After ten years together, they decided it was time to head down the aisle."

How to use aisle

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA walkway between rows — in a plane, church, supermarket, or theater — or, in weddings, the path the bride walks.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "isle" (a small island) or "I'll" — all three sound alike but mean completely different things.

Easily confused with
isle → i'll →
Common pairings
aisle seat walk down the aisle grocery aisle
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Word forms

Plural
aisles
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He walked down the _____ to find his seat before the film started.

Etymology

From Middle English ele, borrowed from Anglo-Norman ele ("wing"), ultimately from Latin āla. The modern spelling and pronunciation were reshaped later under the influence of the unrelated word "isle."

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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passage corridor walkway gangway lane

Antonyms

window window seat

Related words

way chance road street walk opportunity hall window

Rhymes for aisle

isle Carlisle
See all rhymes for aisle →

Frequently asked questions

What does “aisle” mean?
The word “aisle” means a long, narrow passage between rows of seats, shelves, or pews. In plain terms, a walkway between rows — in a plane, church, supermarket, or theater — or, in weddings, the path the bride walks.
How do you pronounce “aisle”?
“Aisle” is pronounced yl (/aɪ̯l/ in IPA).
How do you use “aisle” in a sentence?
Here is “aisle” used in a sentence: “He walked down the aisle to find his seat before the film started.”
What is the opposite of “aisle”?
The opposite of “aisle” — its antonyms — are window and window seat.
What part of speech is “aisle”?
“Aisle” is a noun.
Where does the word “aisle” come from?
The word “aisle” comes from Latin. From Middle English ele, borrowed from Anglo-Norman ele ("wing"), ultimately from Latin āla. The modern spelling and pronunciation were reshaped later under the influence of the unrelated word "isle.".
Is “aisle” a common word?
“Aisle” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “aisle” have?
“Aisle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long, narrow passage between rows of seats, shelves, or pews.
What is the difference between "aisle" and "isle"?
"Aisle" and "isle" are homophones but unrelated in meaning: an aisle is a passage between rows of seats or shelves, while an isle is a small island. They are frequently confused in writing because they sound identical.
Is "aisle" only used in the context of weddings?
No. "Aisle" primarily refers to any long, narrow passage between rows, such as a supermarket aisle, a theater aisle, or the aisle between church pews. The wedding sense is a specific, extended use of this general meaning.

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