border
gb/bˈɔɹdɚ/ us/bˈɔɹdɚ/
A2
English
~ 1900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
relation
1
official line separating areas
A line that separates two countries or areas.
Usage pattern:
the border between [place] and [place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'border' with 'boundary'. A boundary can be any dividing line, while a border usually refers to one between countries or regions.
Synonyms
boundary (Can refer to any dividing line, not only between countries.)
Antonyms
center (Refers to the middle of an area, opposite of its outer edge or limit.)
Collocations
cross the border
|border crossing
|border control
|border security
|border town
Themes
geography
|travel
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We crossed the border into Canada.
- The two countries share a long border.
- Border security has been increased after the incident.
- They live in a small town near the Mexican border.
- The river forms the border between the two states.
Learner examples
- We crossed the border into France.
- The border between the two countries is very long.
- There is a small shop near the border.
- They live close to the border.
- The river is the border between the towns.
Noun
B1
entity
2
outer edge of something
The outside edge of something.
Usage pattern:
[something] has a border of [material/color]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'border' with 'frame'. A frame is a separate structure around something; a border is part of the same object or surface.
Synonyms
edge (More general term for the outer limit of an object.)
Antonyms
center (The middle point, opposite of the outer edge.)
Collocations
decorative border
|lace border
|page border
|border design
Themes
design
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The rug has a red border.
- She planted flowers along the border of the lawn.
- The page has a decorative border.
- A black border surrounded the photograph.
- The scarf features a lace border.
Learner examples
- The tablecloth has a blue border.
- There are trees on the border of the garden.
- The picture has a gold border.
- He drew a red border around the words.
- The paper has a nice border.
Verb
B1
state
3
to be next to something
To be next to and touch something along an edge.
Usage pattern:
[place] borders [place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'border' (verb) with 'border on', which can mean 'almost be' in a figurative sense.
Synonyms
adjoin (Slightly more formal; often used for land or buildings.)
Antonyms
separate (To keep apart, without touching or sharing an edge.)
Collocations
country borders country
|land borders river
|region borders region
Themes
geography
|space
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Poland borders Germany to the west.
- The park borders the river.
- Our property borders the forest.
- Canada borders the United States to the south.
- The reserve borders three villages.
Learner examples
- France borders Spain.
- Our garden borders the field.
- The school borders a park.
- This country borders two seas.
- His farm borders the road.
Verb
B2
action
4
to put an edge around something
To make an edge around something.
Usage pattern:
to border [something] with [material/design]
Synonyms
edge (General term for providing a boundary or margin.)
Antonyms
strip (To remove an edge or margin from something.)
Collocations
border with flowers
|border with lace
|border with stones
Themes
design
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She bordered the tablecloth with lace.
- The path was bordered with roses.
- They bordered the garden with small stones.
- The mirror is bordered in gold.
- Each page is bordered with a thin blue line.
Learner examples
- I bordered the picture with red paper.
- The garden is bordered with flowers.
- He bordered his letter with a black line.
- The road is bordered by trees.
- Her scarf is bordered with beads.
Grammar
Dictionary form
border
IPA
GB/bˈɔɹdɚ/
US/bˈɔɹdɚ/
Syllables & stress
bor - der (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (bor)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: border
- Plural: border, borders
Verb
- Base: border
- 3rd Person Singular: borders
- Present Participle: bordering
- Past: bordered
Word family
Forms
borders
noun
bordering
verb
bordered
verb
Related words
borderline
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
borderless
adjective
Advanced or less common
borderland
noun C1
Expressions
at the border
1/ˈæt ðə bˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
located at dividing line between countries
In the place where two countries or areas meet.
Examples
- We had our documents checked at the border.
- There was a long queue at the border.
border control
1/bˈɔɹdɚ kəntɹˈoʊl/
fixed phrase
checks at country's entry point
Government checks at a country's dividing line to control who and what goes in and out.
Examples
- Border control officers checked our bags.
- Border control can take a long time during holidays.
border on
1/bˈɔɹdɚ ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
to be almost like something else
To be very close to being something, often something extreme or bad.
Examples
- His comments bordered on rude.
- Her enthusiasm borders on obsession.
cross the border
1/kɹˈɔs ðə bˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
to go into another country
To go from one country into another country at their dividing line.
Examples
- We crossed the border into Mexico at noon.
- You need your passport to cross the border.