hedge
HEHJ
Hedge (noun) means a row of closely planted bushes or shrubs forming a barrier or boundary. Example: “They trimmed the hedge along the front garden every spring.”
noun
1
A row of closely planted bushes or shrubs forming a barrier or boundary.
"They trimmed the hedge along the front garden every spring."
"A tall hedge separated the two properties."
"A neat hedge of holly kept the sheep out of the garden."
2
A financial move made to reduce or offset the risk of a loss elsewhere.
"The airline bought fuel contracts as a hedge against rising oil prices."
"Holding some gold is a common hedge against falling share prices."
"The farmer sold part of his harvest early as a hedge against a bad season."
3
A vague or noncommittal statement made to avoid being pinned down.
"His answer was such a hedge that nobody knew what he actually thought."
"Saying it depends was a hedge, and the reporter noticed at once."
"The politician's reply was full of hedges, so the question stayed unanswered."
verb
1
To avoid giving a straight answer or firm commitment.
"She hedged when asked if she'd take the job."
"Investors are hedging their bets until the election results are in."
"Whenever the manager asked for a date, the contractor hedged and changed the subject."
How to use hedge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a bush-boundary in a garden, or a way of protecting yourself from risk or from committing to a clear answer.
Common pairings
hedge your bets
trim the hedge
hedge against inflation
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Word forms
- Plural
- hedges
- Third person singular
- hedges
- Past tense
- hedged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They trimmed the _____ along the front garden every spring.
Etymology
From Old English hecg, meaning a fence or boundary made of bushes. The financial and verbal senses grew out of the idea of "fencing yourself in" — protecting yourself on all sides against risk.
Synonyms
View more →
safeguard
offset
equivocate
fudge
evade
boundary shrub
hedging
hedgerow
sidestep
elude
dodge
circumvent
Related words
Rhymes for hedge
See all rhymes for hedge →Frequently asked questions
What does “hedge” mean?
The word “hedge” means a row of closely planted bushes or shrubs forming a barrier or boundary. In plain terms, either a bush-boundary in a garden, or a way of protecting yourself from risk or from committing to a clear answer.
How do you pronounce “hedge”?
“Hedge” is pronounced HEHJ (/ˈhɛd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hedge” in a sentence?
Here is “hedge” used in a sentence: “They trimmed the hedge along the front garden every spring.”
What part of speech is “hedge”?
Depending on how it is used, “hedge” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hedge” come from?
The word “hedge” comes from Old English. From Old English hecg, meaning a fence or boundary made of bushes. The financial and verbal senses grew out of the idea of "fencing yourself in" — protecting yourself on all sides against risk.
Is “hedge” a common word?
“Hedge” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “hedge” have?
“Hedge” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a row of closely planted bushes or shrubs forming a barrier or boundary.
What is the difference between a hedge and a fence?
A hedge is a row of closely planted bushes or shrubs forming a living barrier or boundary, while a fence is a built structure, usually made of wood, metal, or wire. Hedges require trimming and maintenance as living plants, whereas fences are static, manufactured barriers.
What does it mean to hedge in finance?
In finance, a hedge is a move made to reduce or offset the risk of a loss elsewhere, such as buying an investment that gains value if another one falls. To hedge means taking this kind of protective action against potential losses.
What does it mean when someone hedges their answer?
When someone hedges, they avoid giving a straight answer or firm commitment, often using vague or noncommittal language to avoid being pinned down. A hedge in this sense is the vague statement itself, used to keep options open or avoid responsibility.
What is the phrase "hedge your bets" used for?
"Hedge your bets" means to protect yourself against loss or failure by supporting more than one possible outcome, rather than committing fully to just one choice. It draws on the financial sense of hedge, where risk is spread out or offset rather than concentrated.
