Meaning & use
edge
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Meanings
nouncountable
The outer line or border of something, where it ends.
Grammar: Countable: the edge of the table, the edges of the page.
Patterns
- the edge of something
- on the edge of something
Don't stand so near the edge of the cliff.
She wrote her name on the edge of the page.
We camped at the edge of the forest.
nounsingular
A small advantage that puts you slightly ahead of others.
Grammar: Usually singular with an or the: have an edge over rivals.
Patterns
- an edge over someone
- the edge in something
Her experience gave her an edge over the other applicants.
The home team had the edge in the second half.
Better software gave the company a competitive edge.
nouncountable
The sharp cutting side of a blade or tool.
Grammar: Countable: the edge of a knife.
Patterns
- the edge of a blade
He tested the edge of the knife with his thumb.
The axe had lost its edge.
Be careful of the sharp edge on the broken glass.
nounsingular
A feeling of nervous tension or sharpness in a voice or mood.
Grammar: Often a sharp edge or on edge: she was on edge.
Patterns
- on edge
- an edge to something
There was an edge to his voice when he answered.
The long delay left everyone on edge.
The music has a rough edge that fans love.
verbintransitive
To move slowly and carefully in a stated direction.
Grammar: No object; takes a direction: edge toward the door.
Patterns
- edge toward something
- edge along something
The hikers edged along the narrow ledge.
She edged toward the exit without being noticed.
Prices edged upward last month.
verbtransitive
To provide a border for something, or to form the border.
Grammar: Takes an object, often used in the passive: edged with lace.
Patterns
- edge something with something
She edged the tablecloth with blue lace.
A row of stones edged the garden path.
He edged the lawn with a trimmer.
Word forms
| plural | edges |
|---|---|
| third person singular | edges |
| past tense | edged |
| past participle | edged |
| -ing form | edging |
Common combinations
- cutting edge
- The lab works at the cutting edge of medicine.
- on edge
- I've been on edge since the phone call.
- edge out
- The home side edged out their rivals by one point.
- competitive edge
- Speed gave the firm a competitive edge.
- water's edge
- They sat at the water's edge as the sun set.
Synonyms and how they differ
- border
- Border usually describes a line separating areas, such as countries, rather than the outer limit of one object.
- rim
- Rim applies to round or hollow objects, like a cup or a wheel.
- brink
- Brink means the very edge of something dangerous or dramatic, such as a cliff or a crisis.
- advantage
- Advantage is the general term, whereas edge suggests a narrow lead.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: edge or hedge?
edge vs hedge
A hedge is a row of bushes; edge is the border of something.
Practice
The two runners were level, but a late sprint gave Maria the ____ at the finish.
Choose one answer.
Having the edge means having a narrow advantage. Brink, rim and border refer to boundaries and do not fit a race.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “edge”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.