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edgewise

American  
[ej-wahyz] / ˈɛdʒˌwaɪz /
Also edgeways

adverb

  1. with the edge forward; in the direction of the edge.

  2. sideways.


idioms

  1. get a word in edgewise, to succeed in entering a conversation or expressing one's opinion in spite of competition or opposition.

    There were so many people talking at once that I couldn't get a word in edgewise.

edgewise More Idioms  

Etymology

Origin of edgewise

First recorded in 1560–70; edge + -wise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It was never easy to get a word in edgewise, and there was nothing “safe” about that space—say anything half-stupid and everyone would pile on for the next 25 years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

Kamala Harris could hardly get a word in edgewise during her interview with Fox News' Bret Baier, but when she did she made it count.

From Salon • Oct. 16, 2024

There are moments when you almost wish Castillo would stop talking so you can get a word in edgewise.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 21, 2022

They would have long and winding arguments, he said, where he felt he couldn’t explain himself or get a word in edgewise; he said it sent him into “a tailspin of confusion and depression.”

From Washington Post • Apr. 20, 2022

All 3 billion of us are being connected by telephones, radios, television sets, airplanes, satellites, harangues on public-address systems, newspapers, magazines, leaflets dropped from great heights, words got in edgewise.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

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