Dictionary.com
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?

Idioms about edge

Origin of edge

before 1000; Middle English egge,Old English ecg; cognate with German Ecke corner; akin to Latin aciēs,Greek akís point

synonym study for edge

1. Edge, border, margin refer to a boundary. An edge is the boundary line of a surface or plane: the edge of a table. Border is the boundary of a surface or the strip adjacent to it, inside or out: a border of lace. Margin is a limited strip, generally unoccupied, at the extremity of an area: the margin of a page.

OTHER WORDS FROM edge

edgeless, adjectiveoutedge, verb (used with object), out·edged, out·edg·ing.un·der·edge, nounun·edge, verb (used with object), un·edged, un·edg·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT EDGE

What is a basic definition of edge?

The word edge most commonly refers to the sharp or angled side of an object or the place where something stops and something else starts—a border or margin. Edge is also used as a verb meaning to move sideways. Edge has many additional senses as both a noun and verb.

When it’s used to refer to the side or tip of an object, the word edge often implies that it’s sharp or pointy.

  • Real-life example: The sharp edge of a knife is the part that you use to cut things with.
  • Used in a sentence: I accidentally gave myself a paper cut on the edge of the envelope.

When it refers to the line or border where something stops, edge can be used in the context of objects or places. An edge may be an intentional boundary or it may simply be the place where something ends. Sometimes, it refers to the farthest possible point you can go before falling off of something—a verge or brink.

  • Real-life example: The edges of an object are its outermost borders or margins. When you write too close to the edge of a piece of paper, you might write on whatever’s next to it, like the surface of the table it’s on. The edge of a road is the point where it stops and something else begins, such as grass or a sidewalk. The edge of a cliff is the last point you can stand on before there is no more cliff and you will fall. This sense of the word can also be used in figurative ways, as in the edge of reality. 
  • Used in a sentence: The pencil rolled over the edge of the desk and fell on the floor. 

Edge can also be used as a verb meaning to move slowly or cautiously, such as by moving around the edges of something so as not to touch it or fall.

  • Used in a sentence: The boy edged past his sleeping father to sneak into the kitchen.

Where does edge come from?

The first records of the word edge come from before the year 1000. It comes from the Old English word ecg. This word is related to the German ecke (meaning “corner”) and the Greek akís (“point”). Most of the many meanings of edge relate to an ending point or a side or boundary.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to edge?

  • edgeless (adjective)
  • edger (noun)

What are some synonyms for edge?

What are some words that share a root or word element with edge

What are some words that often get used in discussing edge?

How is edge used in real life?

Edge is an extremely common word with many meanings, most of which involve sides, margins, or borders.

 

 

Try using edge!

Is edge used correctly in the following sentence?

The painters started from the middle and worked their way out to the edges of the floor.

How to use edge in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for edge

edge
/ (ɛdʒ) /

noun
verb

Derived forms of edge

edgeless, adjectiveedger, noun

Word Origin for edge

Old English ecg; related to Old Norse egg, Old High German ecka edge, Latin aciēs sharpness, Greek akis point
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

Other Idioms and Phrases with edge

edge

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
FEEDBACK