Dictionary.com

abut

[ uh-buht ]
/ əˈbʌt /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: abut / abutted / abutting on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object), a·but·ted, a·but·ting.
to be adjacent; touch or join at the edge or border (often followed by on, upon, or against): This piece of land abuts on a street.
verb (used with object), a·but·ted, a·but·ting.
to be adjacent to; border on; end at.
to support by an abutment.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of abut

1425–75; late Middle English <Middle French, Old French abuter touch at one end, verbal derivative of a but to (the) end; see a-5, butt2

OTHER WORDS FROM abut

un·a·but·ting, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to abut

adjoin, join, neighbor

How to use abut in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for abut

abut
/ (əˈbʌt) /
verb abuts, abutting or abutted
(usually foll by on, upon, or against) to adjoin, touch, or border on (something) at one end

Word Origin for abut

C15: from Old French abouter to join at the ends, border on; influenced by abuter to touch at an end, buttress
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK