Definition

1. Noun:

   • A strip forming the outer edge of something: A decorative or structural strip around the edge of an object or area.
   • The boundary line of a surface or area: The line that separates one area, especially a country, state, or province, from another.
   • The area near such a boundary: The region immediately adjacent to a boundary line.

2. Verb:

   • To form a boundary along; to lie adjacent to: To share a common border with something.
   • To provide with a border: To put an edge or decorative strip around something.
   • To be close or similar to (an extreme condition or quality): To approach the condition of something else, often something negative.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • She planted flowers along the border of the garden path.
  • They crossed the border into Canada at dawn.
  • The town is located in a peaceful border region.

• Verb:

  • France borders Spain to the south.
  • The card was bordered with a delicate gold pattern.
  • His reckless behavior borders on insanity.

Advanced Usage

• "to border on something": To be very close to a particular state, quality, or feeling, often an extreme one.
  • Her dedication to her work borders on obsession.
  • The film's plot was so absurd it bordered on comedy.

Variants and Related Words

• Borderline (adj/noun): A barely acceptable or uncertain case; a boundary line.
  • His test score was borderline, so he needed to retake it.
• Bordering (adj): Adjacent; being next to.
  • We visited the bordering villages.
• Borderless (adj): Having no borders or limits.
  • We live in an increasingly borderless digital world.

Synonyms

• Noun: Edge, perimeter, boundary, frontier, margin, verge, rim.
• Verb: Adjoin, abut, neighbor, flank, edge, fringe, skirt.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Border on: (See "Advanced Usage" above). To be very similar to or nearly be something.
  • The conditions in the camp border on inhumane.

Related Idioms

• Cross the border: To go from one country into another.
  • They plan to cross the border for a weekend trip.
• On the border of: At the edge of; very near to a place or condition.
  • The old house stood on the border of the forest.

Noun

1. a strip forming the outer edge of something
   • the rug had a wide blue border
2. a decorative recessed or relieved surface on an edge
3. the boundary of a surface
4. the boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary
5. a line that indicates a boundary

Verb

1. lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
   • Canada adjoins the U.S.
   • England marches with Scotland
2. provide with a border or edge
   • edge the tablecloth with embroidery
3. enclose in or as if in a frame
   • frame a picture
4. form the boundary of; be contiguous to
5. extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle
   • The forest surrounds my property