definitions

verge

1
[ vurj ]
/ vɜrdʒ /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR verge ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

verb (used without object), verged, verg·ing.

to be on the edge or margin; border: Our property verges on theirs.
to come close to or be in transition to some state, quality, etc. (usually followed by on): a statesman who verged on greatness; a situation that verged on disaster.

verb (used with object), verged, verg·ing.

to serve as the verge or boundary of: a high hedge verging the yard.

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RELATED WORDS

meet, reach, turn, influence, gravitate, contribute, lean, bear, favor, go, approach, abut, adjoin, resemble, near, touch, estimate, fringe, march, extend

Nearby words

verdurous, verecund, vereeniging, verein, vereshchagin, verge, verge on, vergeboard, vergence, verger, vergil

Origin of verge

1
1350–1400; late Middle English: shaft, column, rod (hence boundary or jurisdiction symbolized by a steward's rod), Middle English: penis < Middle French: rod < Latin virga
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for verge on (1 of 2)

verge

1
/ (vɜːdʒ) /

noun

verb

(intr foll by on) to be near (to)to verge on chaos
(when intr, sometimes foll by on) to serve as the edge of (something)this narrow strip verges the road

Word Origin for verge

C15: from Old French, from Latin virga rod

British Dictionary definitions for verge on (2 of 2)

verge

2
/ (vɜːdʒ) /

verb

(intr; foll by to or towards) to move or incline in a certain direction

Word Origin for verge

C17: from Latin vergere
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

Medicine definitions for verge on

verge

[ vûrj ]

n.

The extreme edge or margin; a border.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Idioms and Phrases with verge on (1 of 2)

verge on

1

Approach, come close to, as in Her ability verges on genius. [Early 1800s]

2

Be on the edge or border of, as in Our property verges on conservation land. [Late 1700s]

Idioms and Phrases with verge on (2 of 2)

verge

In addition to the idiom beginning with verge

  • verge on

also see:

  • on the verge of
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.