to edge
2
3.2
- verb
- /ɛdʒ/
- The playground edges the school yard, making it easy for children to transition from class to play.
Examples
-
Abetted, the desert advances and the region edges toward catastrophe (1987, 141).
Academic text (2008) -
Sometimes it edges out into the Straits, which is why most boats avoid that shoreline like the plague.
Fiction book (1991) -
As it edges toward energy independence, Washington is apparently losing interest in the East Mediterranean and the adjacent Middle East.
Academic text (2014) -
As they edge past a laundry cart outside a utility room, Harry releases her hand.
Fiction book (1992) -
The Duke edges around the island, cautiously leading the way.
Academic text (2002) -
Every day, still Jewish merchants open those small grey and brown shops which edge the town's vast, muddy square.
Fiction book (1997) -
She's surprised and a little frightened when a green sign edges into her visual field: NEXT EXITS.
Fiction book (1998) -
Venus actually edges higher and becomes more conspicuous as November progresses.
Academic text (2005) -
Puerto Rico, as two states of equal population, would still edge out Nebraska as 36th and 37th in population.
Blog text (17) -
And in that latter category, Reno edges out Columbus, Ga. and Baltimore, Md. for the top spot.
Blog text (17)
Synonyms
78
2.3
To be next to a country or area along a boundary
60
5.0
To move to the side of something, often to gain an advantage
35
5.2
Next to and touching another place, like a house next to a park
22
7.3
To be next to something and share a border
14
4.4
To move along the edge of something
7
6.9
To be next to another building or piece of land, sharing a border
1
9.1
To touch the edge of another piece of land or a building
1
8.6
To be next to another area or country
1
5.6
To be next to something and touch its edge
1
6.0
Going around the edge of something
Antonyms
Idioms
- Informal
19
7.4
Lead a life full of risk and excitement by doing dangerous things
- Informal
1
8.6
To be in a very dangerous situation where a small mistake causes big harm
Phrasal Verbs
Compounds
5
7.5
A very unstable situation that can quickly become much worse or better after a small change
- Specialized
1
9.3
The outer edge of a book's pages opposite the spine when the book is closed
How Enclosed
Surface Forms
Etymology
Edge in the sense of 'be next to' comes from the old English ecg meaning 'border', so it literally means to stand at the border of something. That's why a place that 'edges' a river is right next to it.