EDGE


Meaning of EDGE in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ edʒ ]

( edges, edging, edged)

Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.

1.

The edge of something is the place or line where it stops, or the part of it that is furthest from the middle.

We were on a hill, right on the edge of town...

She was standing at the water’s edge...

N-COUNT : usu with supp

2.

The edge of something sharp such as a knife or an axe is its sharp or narrow side.

...the sharp edge of the sword.

N-COUNT : usu with supp

3.

If someone or something edges somewhere, they move very slowly in that direction.

He edged closer to the telephone, ready to grab it...

VERB : V prep / adv

4.

The edge of something, especially something bad, is the point at which it may start to happen.

They have driven the rhino to the edge of extinction...

= verge, brink

N-SING : usu the N of n

5.

If someone or something has an edge , they have an advantage that makes them stronger or more likely to be successful than another thing or person.

The three days France have to prepare could give them the edge over England...

Through superior production techniques they were able to gain the competitive edge.

= advantage

N-SING : oft N over n , N in n / -ing

6.

If you say that someone or something has an edge , you mean that they have a powerful quality.

Featuring new bands gives the show an edge...

Greene’s stories had an edge of realism.

N-SING : a N

7.

If someone’s voice has an edge to it, it has a sharp, bitter, or emotional quality.

But underneath the humour is an edge of bitterness...

N-SING : oft N of n , N to n

8.

see also cutting edge , knife-edge , leading edge

9.

If you or your nerves are on edge , you are tense, nervous, and unable to relax.

My nerves were constantly on edge.

PHRASE : usu v-link PHR

10.

If you say that someone is on the edge of their seat or chair , you mean that they are very interested in what is happening or what is going to happen.

PHRASE : N inflects , usu v-link PHR , v PHR

11.

If something takes the edge off a situation, usually an unpleasant one, it weakens its effect or intensity.

A spell of poor health took the edge off her performance.

PHRASE : V inflects , PHR n

12.

to set your teeth on edge: see tooth

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Английский словарь Коллинз COBUILD для изучающих язык на продвинутом уровне.