verge
gb/vˈɚd͡ʒ/ us/vˈɚd͡ʒ/
B2
English
~ 6600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
state
1
point just before something happens
The point when something is almost happening or about to start.
Usage pattern:
on the verge of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners often say *"on the verge to do something"* instead of the correct pattern *"on the verge of doing something"* (use a noun or -ing form: "on the verge of crying", not "to cry"). Some also confuse it with "about to" and try to say *"verge to"*, which is incorrect.
Synonyms
brink (Often slightly more dramatic or literary, especially with danger or disaster.)
|
threshold (Suggests the starting point of a new state or situation, sometimes more formal or technical.)
Antonyms
stability (Describes a situation far from sudden change or crisis, the opposite of being on the edge of change.)
Collocations
on the verge of tears
|on the verge of collapse
|on the verge of war
|on the verge of bankruptcy
|on the verge of extinction
|on the verge of success
Themes
change
|emotions
|events
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company is on the verge of bankruptcy after several bad investments.
- Scientists say the species is on the verge of extinction.
- She was so upset that she was on the verge of tears during the meeting.
- After years of hard work, they are finally on the verge of success.
- The two countries are on the verge of signing a historic peace agreement.
Learner examples
- I was so tired that I was on the verge of falling asleep in class.
- The team is on the verge of winning the championship.
- The old bridge is on the verge of collapse.
- The baby is on the verge of crying.
- The small shop is on the verge of closing forever.
Noun
B2
entity
2
strip of land beside a road
A narrow strip of grass or land at the side of a road or path, especially in British English.
Usage pattern:
a [adjective] verge beside [a road]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realise this sense is mainly British English and try to use it in American English, where "shoulder" or "side of the road" is more common. They may also think "verge" here means any "edge"; in road contexts it usually refers to the grassy or unpaved strip, not just any border.
Synonyms
roadside (More general; means the area next to a road, not specifically a strip of grass.)
|
shoulder (Common in North American English; refers to the side of the road, usually for stopping cars and not necessarily grassy.)
Antonyms
carriageway (In British English, the main part of the road where vehicles drive, contrasted with the side strip of land.)
Collocations
grass verge
|roadside verge
|narrow verge
|park on the verge
|soft verge
|mow the verge
Themes
transport
|environment
|daily life
|travel
|housing
Examples
- Cars were parked all along the grass verge outside the stadium.
- The council cuts the verge regularly to keep the road clear.
- Children were playing on the verge while their parents talked nearby.
- A sign on the lane said, "Please do not park on the verge."
- The soft verge was badly damaged by heavy trucks during the festival.
Learner examples
- There is a small grass verge in front of my house.
- Please do not drive on the verge.
- Workers are cutting the grass on the verge today.
- We walked along the path and sat on the verge to rest.
- Some people park their cars on the verge near the school.
unknown
formal
C1
state
3
be very close to something
To almost be something, but not exactly, usually used as 'verge on [something]'.
Usage pattern:
[something] verges on [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes omit the preposition and say *"verge something"* instead of the correct *"verge on something"*. They may also confuse this with "on the verge of", which is usually followed by a noun or -ing form. Use "verge on + noun" ("verge on madness") and "on the verge of + noun/-ing" ("on the verge of going mad").
Synonyms
border on (Very close in meaning and structure; slightly more common in everyday speech.)
|
approach (More general; suggests coming near to something but not always as strong as 'verge on'.)
Antonyms
be far from (Describes something that is clearly not close to a particular state or quality.)
Collocations
verge on the ridiculous
|verge on hysteria
|verge on obsession
|verge on the impossible
|verge on collapse
|verge on abuse
Themes
description
|evaluation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- His comments verged on the offensive, but he stopped just short of insulting anyone directly.
- The film's violence verges on the absurd at times.
- Her attention to detail verges on obsession.
- The situation verges on chaos every time there is a big sale.
- Their demands verged on blackmail, according to the report.
Learner examples
- His jokes sometimes verge on bad taste.
- The noise in the classroom verged on chaos.
- Her love for her dog verges on obsession.
- The plan verges on the impossible.
- Their behaviour verged on rude.
Grammar
Dictionary form
verge
IPA
GB/vˈɚd͡ʒ/
US/vˈɚd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
verge (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (verge)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: verge
- Plural: verges
Word family
Forms
verges
noun
Expressions
on the verge of
1/ˈɔn ðə vˈɚd͡ʒ əv/
fixed phrase
almost at the point of
Very close to doing, feeling, or experiencing something; almost at the point when it happens.
Examples
- She was on the verge of quitting her job when her boss finally apologized.
- Several patients are on the verge of recovery after the new treatment.
- The city is on the verge of a major transport strike.
verge on
1/vˈɚd͡ʒ ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
formal
be almost something
To be almost a certain quality or state, but not completely it.
Examples
- His confidence verges on arrogance.
- The noise from the party verged on madness by midnight.
- Some of the comments verged on racism and had to be removed.