border
As a verb, to border means to be located directly next to or to share a boundary with a specific geographic area or object. It is also used figuratively to describe a state that is very close to a particular quality or condition, often used with the preposition 'on'.
Examples
3 of 5Our backyard borders a small stream that flows into the lake.
Our backyard is located next to a small stream that flows into the lake.
The proposed national park borders several private estates and agricultural lands.
The proposed national park shares a boundary with several private estates and agricultural lands.
His reaction to the news bordered on complete hysteria.
His reaction to the news was almost like complete hysteria.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'OR' in bORder as the 'Outer Rim' of an area.
Quick Quiz
The arrogance he displayed during the meeting was so extreme that it began to _______ on professional misconduct.
Correct!
The correct answer is: border
Examples
Our backyard borders a small stream that flows into the lake.
everydayOur backyard is located next to a small stream that flows into the lake.
The proposed national park borders several private estates and agricultural lands.
formalThe proposed national park shares a boundary with several private estates and agricultural lands.
His reaction to the news bordered on complete hysteria.
informalHis reaction to the news was almost like complete hysteria.
The study area borders the transition zone between the savanna and the tropical rainforest.
academicThe study area is adjacent to the transition zone between the savanna and the tropical rainforest.
The company's new distribution center borders the main interstate highway for easy access.
businessThe company's new distribution center is situated alongside the main interstate highway for easy access.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
border on
to come very close to a certain state
bordered with
having a decorative edge of something
sharing a border
having a common boundary line
Often Confused With
A 'boarder' is a person who pays for a room and meals, whereas 'border' as a verb refers to being adjacent to something.
Boundary is primarily a noun representing the line itself, while border can function as a verb describing the act of being next to that line.
Usage Notes
When used literally for geography, 'border' is often used in the passive voice ('is bordered by'). When used figuratively to mean 'nearly', it is almost always followed by the preposition 'on'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to use 'on' when using the word figuratively (e.g., saying 'it borders ridiculous' instead of 'it borders on ridiculous'). They also sometimes confuse the spelling with 'boarder'.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'OR' in bORder as the 'Outer Rim' of an area.
Word Origin
From the Old French 'border', meaning to put a hem or edge on a garment, derived from 'bort' (edge/ship's side).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In academic and political contexts, the verb 'bordering' is frequently used to discuss geopolitical relations and the sharing of resources between neighboring territories.
Quick Quiz
The arrogance he displayed during the meeting was so extreme that it began to _______ on professional misconduct.
Correct!
The correct answer is: border
Related Vocabulary
To provide a document or page with a border or edge, or to w...
boundaryA boundary refers to a real or conceptual line that marks th...
thresholdA threshold is the physical area at the bottom of a doorway...
frontierA frontier is a border between two countries. It is also the...
perimeterThe perimeter is the total distance around the outside edge...
Related Words
bluster
C1Bluster refers to loud, aggressive, or indignant talk that carries little sting or power and is often intended to intimidate. It suggests a noisy way of speaking that lacks substance or the actual ability to carry out threats.
bogus
C1Describes something that is not genuine, counterfeit, or intentionally fraudulent. It is often used in academic and legal contexts to refer to claims, documents, or entities that have been fabricated to deceive others.
boisterous
C1Describes someone or something that is noisy, energetic, and cheerful, often in a way that is slightly out of control. It is frequently used for groups of people, activities, or natural forces like wind and waves.
bombard
C1To attack or subject someone or something to a continuous flow of objects, questions, or information. In academic and scientific contexts, it specifically refers to directing a stream of particles or radiation at a substance to induce a reaction.
bombastic
C1Describing speech, writing, or behavior that is high-sounding and inflated but with little actual meaning or substance. It is typically used to criticize someone for being pretentious and trying to sound more important or knowledgeable than they truly are.
bondage
C1Bondage refers to the state of being under the control of another person or system, characterized by a lack of freedom or involuntary servitude. In an academic context, it encompasses legal, social, and economic structures, such as slavery or debt peonage, that restrict an individual's autonomy.
boon
C1A boon is a timely benefit or blessing that is extremely helpful in a particular situation. It refers to something that makes life easier or provides a significant advantage when most needed.
boorish
C1Describes behavior that is rough, unrefined, and ill-mannered, typically lacking sensitivity or social grace. It suggests a lack of education or cultural sophistication in social interactions.
bootstrap
C1To start or develop a process or business using minimal external resources, often relying on existing internal assets or self-funding. In computing and statistics, it refers to a self-starting process that executes without external input or a technique for estimation through resampling.
bounty
C1A bounty is a generous gift or a reward offered for a specific task, such as the capture of a criminal. It also frequently refers to an abundance or plentiful supply of something, particularly food or natural resources.
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