lime meaning

lime as a noun

1. any of various related trees bearing limes

   Synonyms: lime tree, Citrus aurantifolia

   Type of: citrus

2. any of various deciduous trees of the genus Tilia with heart-shaped leaves and drooping cymose clusters of yellowish often fragrant flowers; several yield valuable timber

   Synonyms: linden, linden tree, basswood, lime tree

   Type of: tree

   Kinds: American basswood, small-leaved linden, white basswood, Japanese linden, silver lime

3. a caustic substance produced by heating limestone

   Synonyms: calcium hydroxide, slaked lime, hydrated lime, calcium hydrate, caustic lime, lime hydrate

   Type of: hydroxide

4. a white crystalline oxide used in the production of calcium hydroxide

   Synonyms: calcium oxide, quicklime, calx, calcined lime, fluxing lime, unslaked lime, burnt lime

   Type of: oxide

5. a sticky adhesive that is smeared on small branches to capture small birds

   Synonyms: birdlime

   Type of: adhesive material

6. the green acidic fruit of any of various lime trees

   Type of: citrus

   Kinds: key lime

lime as a verb

1. spread birdlime on branches to catch birds

   Synonyms: birdlime

   Type of: spread

2. cover with lime so as to induce growth
   • lime the lawn

   Type of: cover

How to pronounce lime

lime is pronounced /laɪm/ in British English and /laɪm/ in American English. It has 1 syllable.

Words that rhyme with lime

• time
• prime
• climb
• rhyme
• crime
• dime
• onetime
• mime
• rime
• chime
• grime
• thyme