verge

Verge is a noun with several related senses in English. The most common meaning is the edge or margin of something, such as the boundary of a surface, object, or area. The word can also describe a boundary between states or conditions, as in being “on the verge of” a change. The verb form “to verge” exists and is used in phrases like “to verge on,” meaning to approach or border on something.

Etymology traces verge to Old French verge or verg, from Latin virga, meaning a rod or twig. The sense of a boundary or edge developed from the image of a line-marking object.

In British English, verge also refers to the strip of grass or earth beside a road or path, between the roadway and the adjoining land or sidewalk. This roadside verge can be maintained or landscaped and is distinct from the road itself or the shoulder in other varieties of English.

The Verge is an American technology news and media network published by Vox Media. Founded in 2011, it focuses on technology, science, and culture, offering news articles, in-depth features, reviews, and video content. The publication is known for its multimedia approach and has become a widely cited source in technology journalism.

Verge-related terms include brink, edge, boundary, and threshold, all capturing the sense of a limit or frontier. The word’s versatility allows it to describe physical borders, metaphorical thresholds, and idiomatic states of transition.