Meaning of edge In English

• 0 the outer or furthest point of something:

  • He put pink icing around the edge of the cake.

  • They built the church on the edge of the village.

  • A man was standing at the water's edge with a small boy.

  • I caught (= hit) my leg on the edge of the table as I walked past.

• 1 the side of a blade that cuts, or any sharp part of an object that could cut:

  • Careful with that open can - it's got a very sharp edge.

• 2 the point just before something very different and noticeable happens:

  • The company is on the edge of collapse.

  • The government had brought the country to the edge of a catastrophe.

  • She had been driven over the edge by the separation from her husband.

• 3 an advantage over other people:

  • In terms of experience, she definitely had the edge over the other people that we interviewed.

• 4 a small but noticeable amount of anger in someone's voice:

  • There's a definite edge to/in her voice when she talks to her husband.

  • Is something wrong? You seem a bit on edge this morning.

• 5 to move slowly with gradual movements or in gradual stages, or to make someone or something move in this way:

  • A long line of traffic edged its way forward.

  • Inflation has edged up to five percent over the last two years.

  • Those who disagreed with the CEO's viewpoint were gradually edged out of (= forced to leave) the company.

• 6 to win by a very small amount; to beat or move ahead of another person or team by a very small amount:

  • Opinion polls showed him edging into a slight lead.

  • Germany edged Australia 5-4.

  • Both players gave a good performance but I think Nick just edged it.

• 7 the outer or farthest point of something:

  • the edge of a cliff/table

  • They walked down to the water’s edge.

  • fig. Hitchcock’s films often kept moviegoers at the edge of their seats (= kept them eagerly interested).

• 8 a point beyond which something unpleasant or very noticeable is likely to happen:

  • It was reported that the company is on the edge of collapse.

  • The loss of his job almost pushed him over the edge.

• 9 the side of a blade that cuts, or any sharp part of an object:

  • Careful with that open can – it’s got a very sharp edge.

• 10 an advantage:

  • Because of her experience she has the edge over the other applicants.

• 11 If you are on edge, you are nervous and not relaxed:

  • Carly seemed on edge while her family was away.

• 12 to move slowly with gradual movements or in gradual stages:

  • [ T ] A long line of traffic edged its way forward.

  • [ I ] Inflation has begun to edge up during the last six months.

• 13 a technical system that allows people to access large amounts of data on the internet at high speeds without using wires

• 14 to get or have an advantage in a particular situation:

  • Internet banks may have the edge over their old-technology rivals when it comes to charges and rates, but they are not immune from complaints.

• 15 to give someone an advantage in a particular situation:

  • A consortium of private-equity investors gave the group the edge in the competition to acquire MGM.

• 16 to no longer have an advantage that you used to have:

  • Over the years, Germany to some extent lost its edge as a manufacturing base because of cheaper wages in Eastern Europe.

• 17 to nearly be in a particular situation, or to be close to achieving something:

  • Scientists hope we are on the edge of a new and greener economy.

• 18 to put someone or something into a difficult or dangerous situation:

  • As the number of house repossessions and bankruptcies increases, those already struggling with debt could be pushed over the edge.

• 19 to get less or lower by a small amount, or to make something do this:

  • Sales edged down from $1.775 billion to $1.772 billion in the fourth quarter.

• 20 to increase by a small amount, or to make something do this:

  • There is still some nervousness that US authorities might try to edge up interest rates to support the dollar after its recent falls.