Definition

1. Noun:

   • The outer limit or boundary of an object, area, or surface: The part that is farthest from the center.
   • A slight advantage or superiority: A small but often critical lead in a competitive situation.
   • A sharpness or intensity in tone or quality: A noticeable sharpness, often in a voice, indicating urgency, anger, or tension.
   • The line where two surfaces of an object meet: The intersection forming a border, often a sharp one.

2. Verb:

   • To provide with a border or trim: To put an edge on something.
   • To move gradually or cautiously: To advance or retreat slowly and carefully.
   • To be situated on or along the border of: To be adjacent to.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:

  • She carefully walked along the edge of the cliff. (The outer limit of the cliff.)
  • His experience gave him an edge in the job interview. (A slight competitive advantage.)
  • There was a sharp edge to her voice when she replied. (A quality of intensity or urgency in tone.)
  • He sanded the rough edge of the wooden table. (The line where two surfaces meet.)

• Verb:

  • The gardener edged the lawn with bricks. (Provided with a border.)
  • The cat edged closer to the bird. (Moved gradually and cautiously.)
  • Our property edges the national forest. (Is situated along the border of.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be on edge": To be nervous, tense, or irritable.

  • The constant noise had everyone on edge.

• "to have the edge on/over someone/something": To have a slight advantage over someone or something.

  • The home team had the edge over the visitors due to their familiarity with the field.

• "to take the edge off": To make something less intense, severe, or unpleasant.

  • A small snack took the edge off his hunger before dinner.

Variants and Related Words

• Edging (n): A border or trimming.

  • The lace edging on the curtain was delicate.

• Edgy (adj): Nervous, tense, or irritable; at the forefront of a trend.

  • She felt edgy before her big presentation. (Nervous)
  • His taste in music is very edgy. (Innovative, avant-garde)

Synonyms

• Noun (boundary): Border, rim, brink, perimeter, margin.
• Noun (advantage): Advantage, upper hand, lead.
• Verb (move cautiously): Inch, creep, sidle, steal.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Edge away: To move away slowly and carefully, especially from something unpleasant or dangerous.

  • He began to edge away from the angry crowd.

• Edge out: To defeat or surpass someone by a small margin; to gradually force someone or something out.

  • The new company edged out its older competitors.

Related Idioms

• Cutting edge: The most advanced stage of development; the forefront of innovation.

  • This research is at the cutting edge of medical science.

• On the edge of one's seat: Very excited and giving one's full attention to something.

  • The thrilling movie had us on the edge of our seats.

Noun

1. the outside limit of an object or area or surface; a place farthest away from the center of something
   • the edge of the leaf is wavy
   • she sat on the edge of the bed
   • the water's edge
2. a slight competitive advantage
   • he had an edge on the competition
3. the attribute of urgency in tone of voice
   • his voice had an edge to it
4. a sharp side formed by the intersection of two surfaces of an object
   • he rounded the edges of the box
5. a line determining the limits of an area
6. the boundary of a surface

Verb

1. provide with an edge
   • edge a blade
2. lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
   • Canada adjoins the U.S.
   • England marches with Scotland
3. provide with a border or edge
   • edge the tablecloth with embroidery
4. advance slowly, as if by inches
   • He edged towards the car