noun
Uncommon
verge
vurj
Verge (noun) means the point right before something happens; the brink or edge. Example: “The company was on the verge of bankruptcy before the buyout.”
noun
1
The point right before something happens; the brink or edge.
"The company was on the verge of bankruptcy before the buyout."
"She was on the verge of tears during the speech."
"After months of training, he felt on the verge of a real breakthrough."
2
An edge or border, such as a grass strip beside a road.
"He pulled the car onto the grass verge to let traffic pass."
"Wild flowers grew along the verge beside the quiet country lane."
"The council cuts the grass on the verge twice a month in summer."
verb
1
To come close to or border on something.
"Her excitement verged on obsession."
"His jokes sometimes verge on rudeness, though he never means any harm."
"The old barn verges on collapse and needs repairs soon."
How to use verge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMostly used today to mean "right on the edge of" — about to do or become something.
Common pairings
on the verge of
verge of tears
verge on
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Word forms
- Plural
- verges
- Third person singular
- verges
- Past tense
- verged
Fill the gap
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The company was on the _____ of bankruptcy before the buyout.
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.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for verge
See all rhymes for 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.
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