Meaning & use
inline skates
Last updated
Meaning
nounplural
boots with a single row of wheels under each foot, used for gliding on hard surfaces.
Grammar: Always plural; a single one is an 'inline skate'. The activity is 'inline skating'.
Patterns
- a pair of inline skates
- put on inline skates
- ride inline skates
She bought a new pair of inline skates for her birthday.
He put on his inline skates and glided down the path.
The shop sells inline skates and helmets.
Common combinations
- a pair of inline skates
- He carried a pair of inline skates over his shoulder.
- put on inline skates
- The children put on their inline skates before going outside.
- ride inline skates
- She likes to ride inline skates in the park.
- inline skating
- Inline skating is popular in this city.
Synonyms and how they differ
- rollerblades
- A trademarked brand name often used generically for inline skates, especially in the US.
- roller skates
- Skates with wheels arranged in a rectangle, not in a single line; different from inline skates.
Word family
- inline skating noun
- The activity or sport of using inline skates.
- inline skater noun
- A person who uses inline skates.
Commonly confused: inline skates or roller skates?
inline skates vs roller skates
Roller skates have four wheels in a rectangular pattern; inline skates have wheels in a single line.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'inline skates' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The plural 'inline skates' refers to the pair of boots. 'Inline skate' is singular for one boot; 'inline skating' is the activity; 'inline skater' is a person.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “inline skates”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.