edge
ehj
Edge (noun) means the outer boundary or line where something ends. Example: “Please don't leave your phone on the edge of the sofa.”
noun
1
The outer boundary or line where something ends.
"Please don't leave your phone on the edge of the sofa."
"She stood at the edge of the cliff, looking out over the valley."
"He placed his cup right on the edge of the table."
2
The sharp cutting side of a blade.
"Be careful, the edge of that chisel is extremely sharp."
"He ran a stone along the edge to sharpen the axe."
"The knife had lost its edge after months of use."
3
A slight advantage over rivals or competitors.
"Having a local office gives us an edge over our competitors."
"Extra training gave the team a slight edge in the final."
"Her years of experience gave her the edge over the younger candidates."
verb
1
To move slowly and carefully, often in small steps.
"The children edged along the narrow ledge, holding on to the wall."
"He edged toward the exit, hoping no one would notice."
"The car edged forward in the heavy traffic."
2
To win by a very small margin.
"Our local team edged the match by a single goal in the closing minutes."
"She edged ahead of her rival to win the race by a nose."
"The champion edged out her opponent by just half a second."
How to use edge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the outer boundary of something, the sharp part of a blade, a slight advantage, or moving carefully bit by bit.
Common mistake
In sports/betting contexts "edge" means a small statistical advantage, not a literal boundary — context decides which sense applies.
Common pairings
on the edge of
have the edge
edge closer
edge out a rival
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Word forms
- Plural
- edges
- Third person singular
- edges
- Past tense
- edged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please don't leave your phone on the _____ of the sofa.
Etymology
From Old English ecg ("sharp point or blade"), related to a very old Indo-European root for "sharp" — the same one behind the Latin word acus, "needle."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for edge
See all rhymes for edge →Frequently asked questions
What does “edge” mean?
The word “edge” means the outer boundary or line where something ends. In plain terms, either the outer boundary of something, the sharp part of a blade, a slight advantage, or moving carefully bit by bit.
How do you pronounce “edge”?
“Edge” is pronounced ehj (/ɛd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “edge” in a sentence?
Here is “edge” used in a sentence: “She stood at the edge of the cliff, looking out over the valley.”
What part of speech is “edge”?
Depending on how it is used, “edge” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “edge” come from?
The word “edge” comes from Latin. From Old English ecg ("sharp point or blade"), related to a very old Indo-European root for "sharp" — the same one behind the Latin word acus, "needle.".
Is “edge” a common word?
“Edge” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “edge” have?
“Edge” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the outer boundary or line where something ends.
What is the difference between an edge and a corner?
An edge is a line or boundary that runs along where a surface or object ends. A corner is the single point where two or more edges meet. Think of a table: the long sides are its edges, while the sharp points where those sides join are its corners.
What is the difference between an edge and a border?
An edge is the physical line where an object or surface actually ends, such as the edge of a cliff. A border is more often a marked or agreed dividing line between two areas, like a border between countries. Edges are shapes, while borders are frequently boundaries drawn by people.
What is the opposite of edge?
The opposite of an edge is the centre or middle — the area furthest from any boundary. Where the edge marks where something ends, the centre marks its heart. Related contrasts include 'interior' versus edge, or 'core' versus rim, all pointing away from the outer limit toward the inside.
What is an example of an edge?
The edge of a table, the edge of a page, the edge of a knife, or the edge of a forest are all common examples. In each, the edge is the outer line where that object or area stops and something else — empty space or a different surface — begins.
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