verge

Pronunciation

• IPA: /vɜːrdʒ/
• American: [vuhrj]

Origin

From Latin "virga" meaning "rod, stick, branch"

Meanings

1. (noun) The edge, border, or boundary of something

   • "The house sits on the verge of the forest."
   • "The company was on the verge of bankruptcy."

2. (noun) A strip of grass, plants, or trees bordering a road or path

   • "Wild flowers grew on the grassy verge."

3. (verb) To be close to or approaching something

   • "He was verging on exhaustion after the long run."

Examples

• The child was verging on tears after falling down.
• Scientists are on the verge of a major breakthrough.
• The car pulled onto the grass verge to let others pass.

Related Words

• Forms:

  • verging (present participle)
  • verged (past tense)

• Synonyms:

  • (noun) edge, brink, threshold, boundary
  • (verb) approach, near, border on

Memory Tricks

1. Think "V-edge" - verge sounds like edge with a 'v', which is exactly what it means
2. Remember the phrase "on the verge" - it always indicates being very close to something
3. Picture a "V"-shaped border where two areas meet - that's the verge