horizon
huh-REYE-zuhn
Horizon (noun) means the line in the distance where the sky appears to meet the land or sea. Example: “Dark clouds gathered along the horizon as we walked on the beach.”
noun
1
The line in the distance where the sky appears to meet the land or sea.
"Dark clouds gathered along the horizon as we walked on the beach."
"The sun sank below the horizon in a blaze of orange."
"A ship appeared on the horizon."
2
The limit of a person's knowledge, experience, or interest.
"Reading widely helped him expand his horizons beyond his small hometown."
"Her horizons were limited because she had never left the village."
"Travelling abroad really broadened her horizons."
How to use horizon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe line where earth meets sky, or figuratively, the outer limit of what someone knows or expects.
Common pairings
broaden your horizons
on the horizon
new horizons
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Word forms
- Plural
- horizons
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Dark clouds gathered along the _____ as we walked on the beach.
Etymology
From Greek horizon ("bounding"), from horos ("boundary"), via Latin and French.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “horizon” mean?
The word “horizon” means the line in the distance where the sky appears to meet the land or sea. In plain terms, the line where earth meets sky, or figuratively, the outer limit of what someone knows or expects.
How do you pronounce “horizon”?
“Horizon” is pronounced huh-REYE-zuhn (/həˈɹaɪ.zən/ in IPA).
How do you use “horizon” in a sentence?
Here is “horizon” used in a sentence: “The sun sank below the horizon in a blaze of orange.”
What part of speech is “horizon”?
“Horizon” is a noun.
Where does the word “horizon” come from?
The word “horizon” comes from Latin. From Greek horizon ("bounding"), from horos ("boundary"), via Latin and French.
Is “horizon” a common word?
“Horizon” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “horizon” have?
“Horizon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the line in the distance where the sky appears to meet the land or sea.
What is the difference between horizon and skyline?
The horizon is the line in the distance where the sky appears to meet the land or sea. A skyline is the outline that buildings or landforms make against the sky, which is why cities are said to have skylines while the open sea has only a horizon.
Is it "broaden your horizon" or "broaden your horizons"?
The established idiom uses the plural: "broaden your horizons." The singular is not grammatically wrong, but the plural form is what native speakers overwhelmingly use when talking about widening knowledge or experience.
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