verge

55 synonyms and 1 antonym for verge, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — The point right before something happens; the brink or edge.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

edge common parking shoulder

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

brink threshold borderline boulevard median roadside subway terrace

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

cusp brim berm besidewalk boulevard strip city easement county strip curb lawn curb strip devil strip/devil's strip/devilstrip easement drivestrip/drive strip extension lawn furniture zone grass bay grassplot island strip hellstrip landscape zone long acre mow strip nature strip neutral ground parking strip parkrow parkway parkstrip/park strip parkway strip planter zone planting strip right-of-way road allowance road verge sidewalk buffer sidewalk lawn sidewalk plot sidewalk strip street lawn swale tree belt tree box tree lawn utility strip

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

The point right before something happens; the brink or edge.

“The company was on the verge of bankruptcy before the buyout.”

brink threshold cusp borderline edge brim berm besidewalk boulevard boulevard strip city easement common county strip curb lawn curb strip devil strip/devil's strip/devilstrip easement drivestrip/drive strip extension lawn furniture zone grass bay grassplot island strip hellstrip landscape zone long acre median mow strip nature strip neutral ground parking parking strip parkrow parkway parkstrip/park strip parkway strip planter zone planting strip right-of-way road allowance roadside road verge shoulder sidewalk buffer sidewalk lawn sidewalk plot sidewalk strip street lawn subway swale terrace tree belt tree box tree lawn utility strip

2. noun

An edge or border, such as a grass strip beside a road.

“He pulled the car onto the grass verge to let traffic pass.”

Opposites

center

How to use verge

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

on the verge of verge of tears verge on

Etymology

From Old French verge, "rod or wand of office," from Latin virga ("rod, shoot"); the "edge/limit" sense grew out of the idea of a boundary marked by a ceremonial rod.

Full origin of verge →

Frequently asked questions

What does “verge” mean?

The word “verge” means the point right before something happens; the brink or edge. In plain terms, mostly used today to mean "right on the edge of" — about to do or become something.

How do you pronounce “verge”?

“Verge” is pronounced vurj (/vɝd͡ʒ/ in IPA).

How do you use “verge” in a sentence?

Here is “verge” used in a sentence: “The company was on the verge of bankruptcy before the buyout.”

What is another word for “verge”?

Words with a similar meaning to “verge” include berm, besidewalk, boulevard, boulevard strip, city easement and common.

What part of speech is “verge”?

Depending on how it is used, “verge” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “verge” come from?

The word “verge” comes from Latin. From Old French verge, "rod or wand of office," from Latin virga ("rod, shoot"); the "edge/limit" sense grew out of the idea of a boundary marked by a ceremonial rod.

Is “verge” a common word?

“Verge” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “verge” have?

“Verge” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the point right before something happens; the brink or edge.

What is the difference between a verge and the edge of a road?

In this context, a verge specifically refers to a grass strip beside a road, distinguishing it from the paved road edge itself. It's the border zone between the road surface and whatever lies beyond it.

Can verge be used as a verb?

Yes, "to verge" means to come close to or border on something, as in behavior that "verges on" rudeness. This verb usage extends the idea of an edge or brink into describing something approaching a state or quality.

People also searched

common center edge parking shoulder subway threshold median terrace boulevard brink roadside

Nearby words

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