edge

noun \ ˈej \

Definition of edge

1 a :the cutting side of a blade

a razor's edge

b :the sharpness of a blade

a knife with no edge

c (1) :force, effectiveness

blunted the edge of the legislation

(2) :vigor or energy especially of body

maintains his hard edge

d (1) :incisive or penetrating quality

writing with a satirical edge

(2) :a noticeably harsh or sharp quality

her voice had an edge to it

(3) :a secondary but distinct quality

rock music with a bluesy edge

e :keenness or intensity of desire or enjoyment

lost my competitive edge

2 a :the line where an object or area begins or ends :border

on the edge of a plain

b :the narrow part adjacent to a border

the edge of the deck

c (1) :a point near the beginning or the end; especially :brink, verge

on the edge of disaster

(2) :the threshold of danger or ruin

living on the edge

d :a favorable margin :advantage

has an edge on the competition

3 :a line or line segment that is the intersection of two plane faces (as of a pyramid) or of two planes

—

edgeless

adjective

— on edge

:anxious, nervous

See edge defined for English-language learners

See edge defined for kids

Examples of edge in a Sentence

They peered over the edge of the roof.
The fabric was frayed at the edge.
He made us all nervous by standing so close to the edge of the cliff.
She sat on the edge of the counter, swinging her legs.
the edge of an ax
His voice had a sarcastic edge.
These amendments will blunt the edge of the legislation.

Recent Examples of edge from the Web

For more than 90 years, AMIT has been providing cutting-edge education to Israel's diverse population — leveling the playing field for children regardless of socioeconomic or religious background — while instilling strong Jewish values.

— randall p. lieberman, Jewish Journal, "Boynton Judaica artist to lead workshop for Israeli charity," 30 Aug. 2017
Democrats hold a 4-3 registration edge over Republicans in Pennsylvania, but Trump overcame that to become the first Republican since 1988 to capture Pennsylvania’s electoral votes in the presidential race.

— Washington Post, "Pennsylvania Rep. Barletta set for Senate run against Casey," 29 Aug. 2017
What once was a house of horrors for opponents has become an edge-of-your-seat experience for the home fans.

— chadd cripe, idahostatesman, "Forget Top 25 and major bowls. Boise State football needs to master its division first.," 27 Aug. 2017
The National Football League started in Canton in 1920 and has grown into a multibillion-dollar sports league, but the Pro Football Hall of Fame lurked at the edge of Canton’s civic attention for most of the 54 years since it was founded.

— keith schneider, New York Times, "A Bold, Expansive Vision for Canton’s Pro Football Hall of Fame," 22 Aug. 2017
Items needed for the Stuff the Bus campaign include: • Pencils (regular and colored), pens, markers (washable and dry erase) • Crayons, highlighters • Blunt edge scissors, protractors, compasses, erasers • Glue sticks and white glue bottles •

— The Aegis, "Harford Education Foundation's Stuff the Bus under way," 22 Aug. 2017
Toast until edges are crisp but centers are still chewy, 8–10 minutes; set croutons aside.

— carla lalli music, Bon Appetit, "Bruised Tomato and Bread Soup," 22 Aug. 2017
A slide hotspot The Virginia lies on the edge of the Gulf’s continental shelf, in about 200 meters of water just off the Louisiana coast.

— zahra ahmad, Science | AAAS, "The Germans torpedoed a ship during World War II. The wreck is now revealing secrets about submarine mudslides," 21 Aug. 2017
A Republican, Rodriguez-Chomat was deeply committed to Cuban exile causes, twice going on flotillas to deliver memorials at the edge of Cuban waters.

— david ovalle, miamiherald, "Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat, a Miami judge who ‘only wanted to do good,’ dies at 72," 20 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'edge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of edge

Middle English egge, from Old English ecg; akin to Latin acer sharp, Greek akmē point

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

edge Synonyms

Synonyms

acerbity, acidity, acidness, acridity, acridness, acrimoniousness, acrimony, acuteness, asperity, bite, bitterness, harshness, keenness, poignance, poignancy, pungency, roughness, sharpness, tartness

Antonyms

mildness, softness

Related Words

ginger, punch, spice, tang; raucousness, severeness, severity, shrillness, virulence, vitriol; cattiness, maliciousness; pointedness, thorniness

Near Antonyms

gentleness, kindliness

edge

verb

Definition of edge

edged; edging

transitive verb

1 a :to give an edge to

b :to be on an edge of

trees edging the lake

2 :to move or force gradually

edged him off the road

3 :to incline (a ski) sideways so that one edge cuts into the snow

4 :to defeat by a small margin —often used with out

edged out her opponent

intransitive verb

:to advance by short moves

See edge defined for English-language learners

Examples of edge in a Sentence

Edge the sleeve with lace.
She edged away from him.
Gasoline prices have been edging upward.
I edged my chair closer to the table.

Recent Examples of edge from the Web

Ten-year Treasury yields edged higher after sinking to their lowest level of the year on Tuesday.

— luke kawa, Bloomberg.com, "Five Things You Need to Know to Start Your Day," 30 Aug. 2017
Every reporter and photographer in town was jostling for advantage outside the office building’s entrance, joined by a crowd for whom curiosity had edged into fixation.

— nancy bilyeau, Town & Country, "How Jackie Kennedy Became a Powerful Book Editor After Leaving the White House," 18 Aug. 2017
This sharp-edged, slippery slab of titanium and ceramic conveys power, all tool and no toy.

— david pierce, WIRED, "Review: Essential Phone," 18 Aug. 2017
Knowing the idea’s a bad one but not knowing any better, Lucy edges her hand over the counter to flag Jim’s attention.

— Longreads, "And How Much of These Hills Is Gold," 3 Aug. 2017
That season, Majors earned unanimous All-American recognition and was edged out for the Heisman Trophy by Notre Dame's Paul Hornung, even though the Fighting Irish posted a 2-8 record in 1956.

— mark inabinett, AL.com, "The Countdown to Kickoff: The SEC's best No. 45," 19 July 2017
That number ranked fourth, with Florida State ($1.741 million) edging out NC State ($1.73 million) and Clemson ($1.713 million) for the recruiting expenditures crown.

— jeff greer, The Courier-Journal, "How much does Louisville spend on recruiting compared to other ACC schools?," 6 July 2017
Bader had edged out a split decision victory over Davis when the former Division I All-American wrestlers fought for the first time on a UFC card in January 2015.

— dan gelston, chicagotribune.com, "Chael Sonnen tops Wanderlei Silva in unanimous decision at Bellator in New York," 25 June 2017
Oil prices edged up Thursday but remained in bear-market territory on lingering concerns about a global supply glut.

— timothy puko, WSJ, "Oil Prices Come Off Recent Lows," 22 June 2017

First Known Use of edge

14th century

edge Synonyms

Synonyms

sharpen, grind, hone, stone, strop, whet

Antonyms

blunt, dull

Related Words

file

Near Antonyms

buff, burnish, gloss, polish, round, smooth

EDGE Defined for English Language Learners

edge

noun

Definition of edge for English Language Learners

: the line or part where an object or area begins or ends
: the part of a blade that cuts
: the sharpness of a blade

edge

verb

Definition of edge for English Language Learners

: to give an edge to (something)
: to be on the edge of (something)
: to move slowly or with small movements in a specified direction

EDGE Defined for Kids

edge

noun \ ˈej \

Definition of edge for Students

1 :the line where a surface ends :margin, border

He sat on the edge of the stage.

2 :the cutting side of a blade

—

edged

\ˈejd\ adjective

— on edge

:nervous 1, tense

edge

verb

Definition of edge for Students

edged; edging

1 :to give a border to

The sleeve was edged with lace.

2 :to move slowly and gradually Our raft edged towards the falls.

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See words that rhyme with edge Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for edge Spanish Central: Translation of edge Nglish: Translation of edge for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of edge for Arabic speakers

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edge

Definition of edge

edgeless

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Examples of edge in a Sentence

Recent Examples of edge from the Web

Origin and Etymology of edge

edge Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

edge

Definition of edge

Examples of edge in a Sentence

Recent Examples of edge from the Web

First Known Use of edge

edge Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

EDGE Defined for English Language Learners

edge

Definition of edge for English Language Learners

edge

Definition of edge for English Language Learners

EDGE Defined for Kids

edge

Definition of edge for Students

edged

edge

Definition of edge for Students

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