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Meaning & use

hedges

noun, verb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈhedʒɪz/
US/ˈhedʒɪz/

“hedges” is a form of “hedge”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nounplural

    Rows of bushes or small trees planted close together to mark the edge of a garden, field or road.

    Grammar: Plural of hedge: the hedges along the lane.

    Patterns

    • trim the hedges
    • hedges around something

    The hedges along the lane were full of birds.

    He spends every weekend trimming the hedges.

    Tall hedges kept the garden private.

  2. verbtransitive or intransitive

    Third person singular of hedge: avoids giving a direct answer, or protects himself or herself from loss with a safe second choice.

    Grammar: She hedges when asked a direct question; an investor hedges bets.

    Patterns

    • hedges about something
    • hedges against something

    She hedges whenever she is asked a direct question about the date.

    The investor hedges against inflation by buying gold.

    He hedges his bets by applying to several universities.

Common combinations

trim the hedges
The gardener trims the hedges every spring.
privet hedges
Privet hedges grow quickly.
hedges and ditches
Wildlife lives in hedges and ditches.
hedges his bets
He hedges his bets by choosing two options.
hedges against risk
The fund hedges against risk with currency contracts.

Synonyms and how they differ

fences
Fences are made of wood or wire, while hedges are living plants.
evades
Evades means avoids answering and is stronger than hedges, which suggests being cautious or vague.
stalls
Stalls means delaying, while hedges means not committing to a clear answer.
insures
Insures means paying for protection against loss, while hedges means a safe counterbalancing choice.

Opposites

commits

Word family

hedge noun
A row of bushes, or a protection against loss.
hedging noun
Avoiding a direct answer, or protecting against loss.
hedgerow noun
A line of bushes and trees along a field.
hedger noun
Someone who hedges in finance.

Commonly confused: hedges or edges?

hedges vs edges

Edges are borders or sides, while hedges are rows of plants.

Practice

Our neighbor ____ the front garden every Saturday.

Make it your own

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