Skip to main content
to edge

to edge

3 3.2
To be next to another place, sharing a border
  • verb
  • /ɛdʒ/
translation icon : limitar con
  • 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

to flank
vsto edge
60 5.0

To move to the side of something, often to gain an advantage

means simple adjacency without side positioning or tactical intent
to border
vsto edge
46 2.3

To be next to a country or area along a boundary

covers simple adjacency without implying surrounding or enclosing
to adjoin
vsto edge
33 5.2

Next to and touching another place, like a house next to a park

is the general case of being next to another place without detail
to skirt
vsto edge
16 4.4

To move along the edge of something

describes static adjacency rather than movement around a side
to march
vsto edge
9 8.6

To be next to another area or country

applies to places in general without territorial or formal sense
to abut
vsto edge
7 6.9

To be next to another building or piece of land, sharing a border

describes being next to without stressing immediate contact
to butt
vsto edge
1 7.3

To be next to something and share a border

means being next to in general rather than a property-specific term
to butt on
vsto edge
1 9.1

To touch the edge of another piece of land or a building

is a broader expression for being next to another area
to butt against
vsto edge
1 5.6

To be next to something and touch its edge

describes adjacency without suggesting physical pressure or contact
skirting
vsto edge
6.0

Going around the edge of something

refers to being next to on one side rather than surrounding

Antonyms

829 2.1

Not joined to another thing and kept apart

256 4.2

To keep someone or something apart from others

Idioms

on edge
  • Informal
68 4.3

Feeling nervous and tense so you are easily upset or worried

Very close to achieving something important

11 7.4

Lead a life full of risk and excitement by doing dangerous things

2 7.4

Make someone feel nervous and unsure about what will happen

A situation that could easily end well or badly

To be in a very dangerous situation where a small mistake causes big harm

Phrasal Verbs

5 5.3

To move slowly and carefully into a small space or group

2 4.5

Rise slowly by a small amount, often for prices or temperatures

Move slowly and carefully forward to get closer in a crowd

To make a rough edge smooth by rubbing it with sandpaper

Compounds

49 5.6

Very new and modern because it uses the latest ideas and technology

37 3.9

The newest and most advanced position in a field like technology

15 3.0

The outer part of a town where it meets the countryside

8 3.6

The sharp side of a blade that slices food or other things

The outer part of a cliff where the ground drops down sharply

A very remote place far from people with a dramatic view

leading edge
  • Specialized
4 5.3

The front edge of a wing that first meets the air

Very new and advanced technology that is not fully tested and may be risky

A very distant place that seems at the limit of the world

1 4.7

A sharp, uneven part that can cut, or a small fault in a person's way of behaving

A dangerous point where disaster is about to happen

fore edge
  • Specialized
1 9.3

The outer edge of a book's pages opposite the spine when the book is closed

trailing edge
  • Specialized
1 7.0

The rear edge of a wing or blade opposite the front edge

edge tool
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A tool with a sharp edge used to cut and shape wood and other materials

1 4.7

A very sharp cutting edge like a knife blade

deckle edge
  • Specialized
9.9

A rough, uncut edge on paper that looks handmade

aculeated edge
  • Specialized
9.9

A sharp, pointed edge on leaves or surfaces that keeps animals away

The sharp side of a knife that cuts things

A very unstable situation that can quickly become much worse or better after a small change

How Enclosed

enclosed
1 3.5
to edge
3 3.2
adjacent
100 3.8

Surface Forms

edge infinitive
edged past
edged past participle
edging present participle
edges third person singular

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.