1 A2 neutral
To join or form an orderly line while waiting for something, such as a service, event, or product.
"Hundreds of fans queued up outside the stadium hours before the concert began."
inseparable
queue up
A2 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To form or join a line of people or items waiting for something.
In plain English
To stand in a line and wait for your turn.
What does "queue up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
In computing or technology, to add tasks, files, or requests to a waiting list for sequential processing.
"The system queues up all incoming print jobs and processes them in the order they were received."
separable
3 B1 idiomatic informal
Figuratively, to prepare or line up a series of things, events, or ideas in sequence.
"The producer had several new artists queued up for the label's next release schedule."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To form up into a queue — a line of people waiting their turn.
Actually means
To stand in a line and wait for your turn.
Usage tip
Primarily British English. 'Queue' itself already implies an orderly line; 'up' emphasizes the act of forming or joining that line. Also used in computing to describe adding items or tasks to a waiting list for processing. Very common in British everyday speech. Americans typically say 'line up' or 'get in line.'
Words that pair with "queue up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
tickets bus shop download outside early
How to conjugate "queue up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
queue up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
queues up
he/she/it
Past simple
queued up
yesterday
Past participle
queued up
have + pp
-ing form
queuing up
continuous
Hear "queue up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "queue up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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