Meaning & use
hinges
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“hinges” is a form of “hinge”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Metal or plastic joints that let a door, lid or gate swing open and shut while staying attached.
Grammar: Plural of hinge; a door usually has two or three hinges.
Patterns
- the hinges of something
- on its hinges
The hinges on the garden gate were rusty and squeaked loudly.
He oiled the door hinges to stop the noise.
The cupboard doors came off their hinges after years of use.
verbintransitive
Depends entirely on one thing, so that the outcome is decided by it.
Grammar: No object; it is followed by on or upon: the plan hinges on funding.
Patterns
- something hinges on something
- something hinges upon something
The whole case hinges on what the witness remembers.
Our holiday hinges on whether I get the time off work.
Success often hinges on small details that people overlook.
Word forms
| singular noun | hinge |
|---|---|
| third person singular | hinges |
| past tense | hinged |
| -ing form | hinging |
Common combinations
- rusty hinges
- The rusty hinges creaked when the shed door opened.
- oil the hinges
- Oil the hinges before you hang the door again.
- off its hinges
- The old gate was hanging off its hinges.
- hinges on a decision
- The company's future hinges on a decision next week.
- hinges entirely on
- The result hinges entirely on turnout.
Synonyms and how they differ
- depends
- Depends is the everyday word and works for small or large factors, while hinges suggests one deciding factor.
- rests
- Rests on is similar but is often used for arguments and ideas rather than future events.
- turns
- Turns on is close in meaning but is more formal and common in discussions of cases or arguments.
- joints
- Joints is a broader word for any connection, while hinges are the specific kind that swing.
Word family
Commonly confused: hinges or hedges?
hinges vs hedges
Hedges are rows of bushes; hinges are the joints on doors. The two sound a little alike.
Practice
The success of the project ____ on getting enough funding.
Choose one answer.
Hinges on means depends entirely on. Holds on can mean wait or grip, and the other options do not combine with on in this sense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “hinges”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.