edge
♦♦ edge /'edʒ/ (edges edging edged)
1 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
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...
2 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
The edge of something sharp such as a knife or an axe is its sharp or narrow side.
...the sharp edge of the sword.
3 [VERB] V prep/adv
If someone or something edges somewhere, they move very slowly in that direction.
He edged closer to the telephone, ready to grab it...
4 [N-SING] usu the N of n
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
5 [N-SING] oft N over n, N in n/-ing
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
6 [N-SING] a N
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.
7 [N-SING] oft N of n, N to n
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...
8
see also cutting edge, knife-edge,
9 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR
If you or your nerves are on edge, you are tense, nervous, and unable to relax.
My nerves were constantly on edge.
10 [PHRASE] N inflects, usu v-link PHR, v PHR
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.
11 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR n
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.
12
to set your teeth on edge: see toothbleed|ing edge
The spelling bleeding-edge is used for meaning 2.
1 [N-SING]
If you are at the bleeding edge of a particular field of activity, you are involved in its most advanced or most exciting developments.
McNally has spent 17 years at the bleeding edge of computing.
2 [ADJ]
Bleeding-edge equipment or technology is the most advanced that there is in a particular field.
...an RAF facility with bleeding-edge electronics and communications systems.cut|ting edge
The spelling cutting-edge is used for meaning 3.
1 [N-SING] usu at/on the N of n
If you are at the cutting edge of a particular field of activity, you are involved in its most important or most exciting developments.
This shipyard is at the cutting edge of world shipbuilding technology.
= forefront
2 [N-SING]
If someone or something gives you a cutting edge, they give you an advantage over your competitors.
If Pearce had been fit, we would have won. We missed the cutting edge he would have given us.
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Cutting-edge techniques or equipment are the most advanced that there are in a particular field.
What we are planning is cutting-edge technology never seen in Australia before...edge out
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P of n, also V n P
If someone edges out someone else, they just manage to beat them or get in front of them in a game, race, or contest.
France edged out the British team by less than a second...
McGregor's effort was enough to edge Johnson out of the top spot.lead|ing edge
[N-SING] usu the N of n
The leading edge of a particular area of research or development is the area of it that seems most advanced or sophisticated.
I think Israel tends to be at the leading edge of technological development.
= cutting edge
● leading-edge [ADJ]
...leading-edge technology.
1 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
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...
2 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
The edge of something sharp such as a knife or an axe is its sharp or narrow side.
...the sharp edge of the sword.
3 [VERB] V prep/adv
If someone or something edges somewhere, they move very slowly in that direction.
He edged closer to the telephone, ready to grab it...
4 [N-SING] usu the N of n
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
5 [N-SING] oft N over n, N in n/-ing
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
6 [N-SING] a N
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.
7 [N-SING] oft N of n, N to n
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...
8
see also cutting edge, knife-edge,
9 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR
If you or your nerves are on edge, you are tense, nervous, and unable to relax.
My nerves were constantly on edge.
10 [PHRASE] N inflects, usu v-link PHR, v PHR
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.
11 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR n
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.
12
to set your teeth on edge: see toothbleed|ing edge
The spelling bleeding-edge is used for meaning 2.
1 [N-SING]
If you are at the bleeding edge of a particular field of activity, you are involved in its most advanced or most exciting developments.
McNally has spent 17 years at the bleeding edge of computing.
2 [ADJ]
Bleeding-edge equipment or technology is the most advanced that there is in a particular field.
...an RAF facility with bleeding-edge electronics and communications systems.cut|ting edge
The spelling cutting-edge is used for meaning 3.
1 [N-SING] usu at/on the N of n
If you are at the cutting edge of a particular field of activity, you are involved in its most important or most exciting developments.
This shipyard is at the cutting edge of world shipbuilding technology.
= forefront
2 [N-SING]
If someone or something gives you a cutting edge, they give you an advantage over your competitors.
If Pearce had been fit, we would have won. We missed the cutting edge he would have given us.
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Cutting-edge techniques or equipment are the most advanced that there are in a particular field.
What we are planning is cutting-edge technology never seen in Australia before...edge out
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P of n, also V n P
If someone edges out someone else, they just manage to beat them or get in front of them in a game, race, or contest.
France edged out the British team by less than a second...
McGregor's effort was enough to edge Johnson out of the top spot.lead|ing edge
[N-SING] usu the N of n
The leading edge of a particular area of research or development is the area of it that seems most advanced or sophisticated.
I think Israel tends to be at the leading edge of technological development.
= cutting edge
● leading-edge [ADJ]
...leading-edge technology.