B2 adjective Neutral

boundary

/ˈbaʊndri/

A boundary refers to a real or conceptual line that marks the limits or edges of something, such as a physical territory, a social interaction, or an academic field. As an adjective, it describes things that are situated on or define these borders and restrictions.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The property is separated by a boundary wall that has stood for over fifty years.

The property is separated by a dividing wall that has stood for over fifty years.

2

The diplomats are meeting to resolve a long-standing boundary dispute over the coastal region.

The diplomats are meeting to resolve a long-standing border disagreement over the coastal region.

3

I think you're having a boundary issue if you can't say no to extra work every weekend.

I think you're having a personal limit issue if you can't say no to extra work every weekend.

Word Family

Noun
boundary
Verb
bound
Adverb
boundlessly
Adjective
boundless
Related
limitation
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Memory Tip

Think of a 'bound' (a leap or jump). A boundary is a line you are not allowed to 'bound' over without permission.

Quick Quiz

The river acts as a natural ________ line between the two neighboring states.

Correct!

The correct answer is: boundary

Examples

1

The property is separated by a boundary wall that has stood for over fifty years.

everyday

The property is separated by a dividing wall that has stood for over fifty years.

2

The diplomats are meeting to resolve a long-standing boundary dispute over the coastal region.

formal

The diplomats are meeting to resolve a long-standing border disagreement over the coastal region.

3

I think you're having a boundary issue if you can't say no to extra work every weekend.

informal

I think you're having a personal limit issue if you can't say no to extra work every weekend.

4

The experiment focuses on the boundary layer between the two different gas pressures.

academic

The experiment focuses on the interface layer between the two different gas pressures.

5

Clear boundary definitions in the partnership agreement will prevent future legal conflicts.

business

Clear limit definitions in the partnership agreement will prevent future legal conflicts.

Word Family

Noun
boundary
Verb
bound
Adverb
boundlessly
Adjective
boundless
Related
limitation

Common Collocations

boundary line dividing line
personal boundaries individual limits
boundary marker border indicator
push the boundaries challenge the limits
boundary conditions limiting circumstances

Common Phrases

cross the boundary

to go beyond a set limit or rule

blur the boundaries

to make the distinction between two things unclear

set healthy boundaries

to establish clear personal limits for well-being

Often Confused With

boundary vs border

Border usually refers specifically to the political line between countries, whereas boundary is more general and can be abstract.

boundary vs limit

A limit is often the maximum amount or capacity of something, while a boundary is the physical or conceptual edge.

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Usage Notes

While commonly a noun, 'boundary' functions as an adjective in compound phrases to describe lines, markers, or specific conditions in physics and psychology.

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Common Mistakes

Learners often omit the 'a' when spelling it, resulting in 'boundry', and sometimes use 'border' in psychological contexts where 'boundary' is the correct term.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'bound' (a leap or jump). A boundary is a line you are not allowed to 'bound' over without permission.

📖

Word Origin

From Middle English 'bound' (a limit) combined with the suffix '-ary', originating from Old French 'bonde'.

Grammar Patterns

Often used as an attributive noun acting as an adjective The plural form is 'boundaries'
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Cultural Context

In Western psychology, 'maintaining boundaries' is a significant cultural concept regarding mental health, privacy, and social ethics.

Quick Quiz

The river acts as a natural ________ line between the two neighboring states.

Correct!

The correct answer is: boundary

Related Words

homovestency

C1

Refers to the practice or state of wearing clothing that corresponds to one's own biological sex or gender identity. It is a technical term used primarily in psychological and sociological contexts to distinguish traditional dressing habits from cross-dressing or transvestism.

binavent

C1

To divide a single process, stream, or strategy into two distinct but parallel channels or outcomes. It is primarily used in technical or procedural contexts to describe the intentional and strategic splitting of resources or workflows to increase efficiency or manage complexity.

subclamious

C1

Describing a sound or environment that is moderately noisy or somewhat clamorous. It refers to a level of vocalization or background noise that is audible and potentially disruptive but falls short of a full, overwhelming clamor.

autographhood

C1

The state, quality, or condition of being an autograph or a handwritten original document. It refers to the status of a text or signature as having been personally inscribed by the individual it is attributed to.

prologcide

C1

Describing an action, policy, or mindset that involves the intentional destruction, removal, or bypassing of a prologue or introductory phase. It characterizes anything that seeks to eliminate the 'start' to reach the core or conclusion immediately.

inlegal

C1

A non-standard or archaic variation of the word 'illegal', referring to actions or conditions that are prohibited by law or official regulations. In modern English, it is primarily used as a distractor in language proficiency tests or found in non-native speech before prefix assimilation occurs.

hyperfacsion

C1

Describing a state of extreme fragmentation or division within a group, organization, or political body into numerous, often hostile, competing factions. It implies a level of discord where constructive cooperation is paralyzed by excessive micro-divisions.

dispetism

C1

To engage in a systematic and often petty rejection of established norms or authoritative directives. It describes the act of obstructing progress through deliberate non-compliance or by treating formal requirements with calculated contempt.

interautoite

C1

To automatically synchronize or integrate multiple autonomous systems or self-regulating processes into a unified whole. It is used to describe the seamless interaction between independent units that function without external intervention.

autolaudible

C1

Describing speech, writing, or behavior that is characterized by self-praise or self-commendation. It refers to the act of highlighting one's own merits or achievements, often used in a critical sense to imply vanity.

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