Meaning & use
abuts
Last updated
“abuts” is a form of “abut”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
Lies right next to something, sharing a boundary or touching along one side.
Grammar: Takes an object directly (abuts the road) or with on/against (abuts on the road).
Patterns
- something abuts something
- something abuts on something
- something abuts against something
The garden abuts the railway line at the back.
Her property abuts on a national park.
The new wing abuts the old library wall.
verbintransitivetechnical
Is joined or pressed up against another structure, with one end or side touching it directly.
Grammar: Usually with against: the beam abuts against the wall.
Patterns
- something abuts against something
The stone arch abuts against a thick support on each side.
The wooden panel abuts against the doorframe without any gap.
Word forms
| third person singular | abuts |
|---|---|
| past tense | abutted |
| past participle | abutted |
| -ing form | abutting |
Common combinations
- abuts the property
- The new road abuts the property on its eastern side.
- abuts a river
- The field abuts a river and floods in spring.
- abuts on land
- The shed abuts on land owned by the council.
- abuts against a wall
- The staircase abuts against a thick stone wall.
- abuts the boundary
- The orchard abuts the boundary of the village.
Synonyms and how they differ
- borders
- This is more common for countries and areas, while abuts is used for properties and structures.
- adjoins
- This is the closest match and is equally formal, but it stresses being next to each other, not pressing against.
- touches
- This is plain and everyday, and does not suggest a shared boundary the way abuts does.
- neighbors
- This suggests being next door as a verb in informal contexts, and rarely appears in legal writing.
Word family
Commonly confused: abuts or abuse? abuts or butts?
abuts vs abuse
Abuse means to treat badly or misuse; abut means to lie next to something. They look similar but share no meaning.
abuts vs butts
Butts means pushes with the head or is a plural noun for the ends of things. It is not a form of abut.
Practice
Their garden ______ the railway line, so trains can be heard all day.
Choose one answer.
Abuts means lies right next to, which fits a garden beside a railway. Abuses means treats badly, absorbs takes in, and abstains means refrains.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “abuts”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.