Verge
/vɜrdʒ/
nounverbB2
Definition
As a noun, verge is the edge or border of an area, like the side of a road or the edge of land. As a verb, verge means to be very near to a particular state or action, almost about to do something.
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See It in Action
Noun: The edge or border of something
- •The car stopped on the verge of the road.
- •Flowers grew along the verge of the path.
- •The house is built near the verge of the forest.
Verb: To be close to a particular state or action
- •She was on the verge of tears after hearing the news.
- •The company is verging on bankruptcy.
- •He verged toward excitement as the game started.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "verge" like "edge" (A1 word), but "verge" often means just before or very close to something happening
- ✓Picture standing at the edge of a cliff, looking down—that place where land ends is the verge
- ✓It's the feeling when you are about to start something big, like the moment just before you jump into a pool
- ✓Sounds like "merge" but with a "v" → Imagine two things almost coming together but stopping right at the border, at the verge
- ✓Imagine a story where a character is on the verge of a big decision, almost ready but not yet decided
- ✓NOT like "center" (in the middle), "verge" is at the border or limit
- ✓NOT like "start" (beginning an action), "verge" means you are very close but have not started yet
- ✓NOT like "edge" alone, "verge" often has the feeling of being about to change or do something
Try Other Words
- •Border: the line or area where two things meet (Use when talking about physical limits)
- •Brink: the point just before something happens, often something bad (Use when emphasizing danger or risk)
- •Threshold: the starting point of a new situation (Use when focusing on beginning something new)
- •Edge: the outer part or limit of an object or area (Use for physical limits without the sense of imminence)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix, root word "verge")
- •Etymology: From Old French "verge" meaning rod or stick, later meaning border or edge
- •Historical development: Originally meaning a rod or stick, then used for boundary lines or edges in Middle English
- •Modern usage: Used as noun for edges or borders, and as verb meaning to be near or almost at a particular state
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you were on the verge of doing something important? How did it feel?
•How does the idea of a "verge" help us understand moments before change or decisions in life?
Fill in the blanks
1.The car stopped on the verge of the ___, just before leaving the road.
2.She was on the verge of ___ when she heard the surprising news.
3.Unlike being in the middle, being on the verge means you are very ___ to the edge or limit.
4.When someone is verging on anger, they are almost about to ___ but have not yet done so.
5.The flowers grew along the verge ___ the path, marking the border.
6.The company is verging ___ bankruptcy, meaning it is very close to it.
7.Standing on the verge of a new opportunity can feel both exciting and ___.