English Meaning & Definitions
The limit or edge of something; the point at which something begins to happen.
- “The company was on the verge of bankruptcy before the new investment arrived.”
- “Scientists believe they are on the verge of a major medical breakthrough.”
A narrow strip of land or grass bordering a road or path.
- “The driver pulled over onto the grass verge to check the map.”
- “The council is responsible for mowing the verges along the highway.”
To be very close to a certain state, quality, or condition; to border on.
- “His behavior sometimes verges on the obsessive.”
- “The comedy was so dark that it verged on being a tragedy.”
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “verge”.
Derived from the Old French 'verge' (rod, wand, or measuring stick), which comes from the Latin 'virga' (shoot, twig, or rod). Historically, it referred to a staff of office used to delineate a territory or jurisdiction. Over time, the meaning shifted from the staff itself to the boundary it marked, and finally to any edge or brink.
Verge rhymes with edge; both refer to the brink of something.
Frequently Asked Questions About “verge”
1. What is the meaning of “verge” in English?
In English, verge (noun) is defined as: “The limit or edge of something; the point at which something begins to happen.”.
2. How do you use “verge” in a sentence?
“The company was on the verge of bankruptcy before the new investment arrived.”
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “verge”?
Derived from the Old French 'verge' (rod, wand, or measuring stick), which comes from the Latin 'virga' (shoot, twig, or rod). Historically, it referred to a staff of office used to delineate a territory or jurisdiction. Over time, the meaning shifted from the staff itself to the boundary it marked, and finally to any edge or brink.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
View all English words →The base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.
A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.