frontier
FRUHN-teer
Frontier (noun) means the border area between two countries, or the edge of settled and unsettled land. Example: “Guards checked our passports at the frontier before we crossed.”
noun
1
The border area between two countries, or the edge of settled and unsettled land.
"Guards checked our passports at the frontier before we crossed."
"Settlers moved west to the edge of the frontier in search of land."
"The town grew up along the old western frontier."
2
The furthest, most advanced edge of knowledge or achievement in a field.
"Space travel is still the frontier of human exploration."
"Her research sits on the frontier of medicine and technology."
"the frontier of solid state electronics"
"Scientists are pushing the frontier of what artificial intelligence can do."
How to use frontier
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA border region, or figuratively, the cutting edge of a field of knowledge.
Common pairings
the final frontier
push the frontier
frontier town
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Word forms
- Plural
- frontiers
- Third person singular
- frontiers
- Past tense
- frontiered
Fill the gap
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Guards checked our passports at the _____ before we crossed.
Etymology
From Old French frontiere, based on Latin frons ("front").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for frontier
See all rhymes for frontier →Frequently asked questions
What does “frontier” mean?
The word “frontier” means the border area between two countries, or the edge of settled and unsettled land. In plain terms, a border region, or figuratively, the cutting edge of a field of knowledge.
How do you pronounce “frontier”?
“Frontier” is pronounced FRUHN-teer (/fɹʌnˈtɪɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “frontier” in a sentence?
Here is “frontier” used in a sentence: “The town grew up along the old western frontier.”
What part of speech is “frontier”?
“Frontier” is a noun.
Where does the word “frontier” come from?
The word “frontier” comes from Latin. From Old French frontiere, based on Latin frons ("front").
Is “frontier” a common word?
“Frontier” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “frontier” have?
“Frontier” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the border area between two countries, or the edge of settled and unsettled land.
What is the difference between "frontier" and "border"?
A "border" is the precise line that divides two countries or regions, while a "frontier" is the broader area along that line, or the edge between settled and unsettled land. A border is a boundary; a frontier is the zone around it and often carries a sense of wilderness or the unknown.
What words commonly go with "frontier"?
"Frontier" often appears in phrases such as "the final frontier," "new frontier," "frontier town," "push the frontiers," and "the American frontier." These uses stress either a physical borderland or the leading edge of progress.
What is the difference between "frontier" and "boundary"?
A "boundary" marks where one area ends and another begins and can apply to countries, properties, or abstract limits, while a "frontier" specifically suggests the outer edge of settled territory or of what is known. Frontier carries a stronger sense of exploration and the beyond.
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