border
23 synonyms and 0 antonyms for border, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The line separating two countries, states, or regions.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use border
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French "bordeure," of Germanic origin, related to the word "board" in the sense of an edge or rim.
Full origin of border →Frequently asked questions
What does “border” mean?
The word “border” means the line separating two countries, states, or regions. In plain terms, the dividing line between two places, the edge of something, or (as a verb) to be right next to or almost like something.
How do you pronounce “border”?
“Border” is pronounced BAW-duh (/ˈbɔɹ.dɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “border” in a sentence?
Here is “border” used in a sentence: “They crossed the border into Canada just before sunset.”
What part of speech is “border”?
Depending on how it is used, “border” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “border” come from?
The word “border” comes from Old French. From Old French "bordeure," of Germanic origin, related to the word "board" in the sense of an edge or rim.
Is “border” a common word?
“Border” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “border” have?
“Border” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the line separating two countries, states, or regions.
What is the difference between a border and a boundary?
A boundary is any line that marks where one area ends and another begins, from a garden fence to a property line. A border is a specific kind of boundary, usually the political line between countries, states, or regions, often marked and controlled. Every border is a boundary, but not every boundary is a border.
What is the difference between a border and a frontier?
A border is the precise line dividing two territories. A frontier is the wider region along that line, or historically the edge of settled land beyond which lies unexplored or unclaimed territory. So you cross a border at a single point, but a frontier is a broader zone rather than a fixed line.
What is an example of a border?
The line between the United States and Mexico is a border, as is the one dividing France and Spain. Borders can follow natural features like rivers and mountains or be drawn as straight surveyed lines. Many are marked by checkpoints where travel and trade between the two sides are controlled.