aisle

Everyday

1. An aisle is a long, narrow passage between rows of seats (in a church, theatre, plane, bus or classroom) or between shelves (in a supermarket or library). tree →
2. «Walk down the aisle» means to get married in a church. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life: supermarket aisles are numbered and signs say what is in each one (bread, cleaning products); in planes, «aisle seat» is next to the passage and «window seat» next to the window. Safety: keep aisles clear of bags so nobody trips and people can leave quickly in an emergency; on planes stay in your seat when the seat belt sign is on. Phrases: aisle seat, down the aisle, aisle 5, rolling in the aisles (laughing very hard).

Examples

• The cereal is in aisle three. tree →
• Keep your bag out of the aisle so nobody trips. tree →
• I sat in the aisle seat on the plane. tree →
• The bride walked down the aisle. tree →
• We lined up in the aisle between the desks. tree →
• The film was so funny, people were rolling in the aisles. tree →
• Incense floated through the lofty painted and gilded aisles, where a solemn twilight reigned. tree →

Note

Spelling trap: the «s» is silent — said «ile», like «I'll». Homophones: aisle, I'll, isle (a small island) — all sound the same. Countable: aisles.