Border vs. Edge: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Border refers to a boundary or line that separates two areas; Edge denotes the outermost line or limit of an object.
Key Differences
Border often implies a demarcation line between geographical areas, like countries or states. An edge, however, refers to the outermost limit of an object, like the edge of a table.
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A border can be both physical (like a fence) and conceptual (like the boundary of a city). Edge typically describes the physical boundary of an object, like the sharp edge of a knife.
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In political or geographical contexts, borders delineate territories. In contrast, edges are used in more tangible, physical contexts, such as the edge of a cliff.
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Borders can also refer to decorative peripheries on materials like fabric. Edges can denote the brink or verge of something, like being on the edge of a breakthrough.
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When used metaphorically, a border might represent the boundary of a concept or practice. Conversely, an edge can symbolize a competitive advantage or a point of transition.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Context
Geographical or conceptual boundaries
The outermost limits or lines of an object
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Physical vs. Conceptual
Can be both physical and conceptual
Primarily physical
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Usage Examples
Boundaries of countries, states, designs on fabric
Edge of a knife, cliff, or a surface
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Metaphorical Usage
Limits of a concept or practice
Competitive advantage, brink of something
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Implication
Separation, division, or transition between areas
The point of transition, sharpness, or brink
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Border and Edge Definitions
Border
Boundary
The border between fact and fiction is often blurred in his stories.
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Border
A strip of ground, as at the edge of a garden or walk, in which ornamental plants or shrubs are planted.
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Edge
A penetrating, incisive quality
"His simplicity sets off the satire, and gives it a finer edge" (William Hazlitt).
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Border
The line or frontier area separating political divisions or geographic regions; a boundary.
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Edge
A slight but noticeable sharpness, harshness, or discomforting quality
His voice had an edge to it.
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Border
To lie along or adjacent to the border of
Canada borders the United States.
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Edge
Keenness, as of desire or enjoyment; zest
The brisk walk gave an edge to my appetite.
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Edge
The line or area farthest away from the middle
Lifted the carpet's edge.
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Border
To be almost like another in character
An act that borders on heroism.
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Border
The line or frontier area separating political or geographical regions.
The border between Canada and USA is the longest in the world.
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Edge
A margin of superiority; an advantage
A slight edge over the opposition.
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Border
A decorative strip around the edge of something.
There's a nice frilly border around the picture frame.
A solid border around a table of figures
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Edge
To tilt (a ski or both skis) in such a way that an edge or both edges bite into the snow.
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Border
Border morris or border dancing; a vigorous style of traditional English dance originating from villages along the border between England and Wales, performed by a team of dancers usually with their faces disguised with black makeup.
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Border
(computing) A string that is both a prefix and a suffix of another particular string.
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Edge
To advance or push slightly or gradually
The dog edged the ball with its nose.
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Border
(transitive) To lie on, or adjacent to, a border of.
Denmark borders Germany to the south.
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Edge
To surpass or beat by a small margin. Often used with out
The runner edged her opponent out at the last moment.
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Border
(intransitive) To touch at a border (with on, upon, or with).
Connecticut borders on Massachusetts.
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Border
(intransitive) To approach; to come near to; to verge (with on or upon).
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Border
The outer part or edge of anything, as of a garment, a garden, etc.; margin; verge; brink.
Upon the borders of these solitudes.
In the borders of death.
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Edge
(geometry) A one-dimensional face of a polytope. In particular, the joining line between two vertices of a polygon; the place where two faces of a polyhedron meet.
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Border
A boundary; a frontier of a state or of the settled part of a country; a frontier district.
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Border
A strip or stripe arranged along or near the edge of something, as an ornament or finish.
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Edge
The thin cutting side of the blade of an instrument, such as an ax, knife, sword, or scythe; that which cuts as an edge does, or wounds deeply, etc.
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Edge
A sharp terminating border; a margin; a brink; an extreme verge.
The cup is right on the edge of the table.
He is standing on the edge of a precipice.
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Border
To touch at the edge or boundary; to be contiguous or adjacent; - with on or upon as, Connecticut borders on Massachusetts.
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Edge
Sharpness; readiness or fitness to cut; keenness; intenseness of desire.
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Border
To approach; to come near to; to verge.
Wit which borders upon profaneness deserves to be branded as folly.
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Edge
The border or part adjacent to the line of division; the beginning or early part (of a period of time)
In the edge of evening
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Border
To make a border for; to furnish with a border, as for ornament; as, to border a garment or a garden.
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Edge
(cricket) A shot where the ball comes off the edge of the bat, often unintentionally.
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Border
To be, or to have, contiguous to; to touch, or be touched, as by a border; to be, or to have, near the limits or boundary; as, the region borders a forest, or is bordered on the north by a forest.
The country is bordered by a broad tract called the "hot region."
Shebah and Raamah . . . border the sea called the Persian gulf.
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Border
To confine within bounds; to limit.
That nature, which contemns its origin,Can not be bordered certain in itself.
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Edge
A level of sexual arousal that is maintained just short of reaching the point of inevitability, or climax.
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Edge
The point of data production in an organization (the focus of edge computing), as opposed to the cloud.
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Edge
(transitive) To move an object slowly and carefully in a particular direction.
He edged the book across the table.
The muggers edged her into an alley and demanded money.
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Edge
(intransitive) To move slowly and carefully in a particular direction.
He edged away from her.
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Border
A strip forming the outer edge of something;
The rug had a wide blue border
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Border
Extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle;
The forest surrounds my property
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Edge
(transitive) To trim the margin of a lawn where the grass meets the sidewalk, usually with an electric or gas-powered lawn edger.
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Edge
(figurative) To make sharp or keen; to incite; to exasperate; to goad; to urge or egg on.
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Border
Lie adjacent to another or share a boundary;
Canada adjoins the U.S.
England marches with Scotland
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Border
Geographical Boundary
The Rio Grande river forms a natural border between the U.S. and Mexico.
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Edge
The thin cutting side of the blade of an instrument; as, the edge of an ax, knife, sword, or scythe.
He which hath the sharp sword with two edges.
Slander,Whose edge is sharper than the sword.
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Edge
Any sharp terminating border; a margin; a brink; extreme verge; as, the edge of a table, a precipice.
Upon the edge of yonder coppice.
In worst extremes, and on the perilous edgeOf battle.
Pursue even to the very edge of destruction.
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Edge
Sharpness; readiness or fitness to cut; keenness; intenseness of desire.
The full edge of our indignation.
Death and persecution lose all the ill that they can have, if we do not set an edge upon them by our fears and by our vices.
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Edge
The border or part adjacent to the line of division; the beginning or early part; as, in the edge of evening.
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Edge
To furnish with an edge as a tool or weapon; to sharpen.
To edge her champion's sword.
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Edge
To furnish with a fringe or border; as, to edge a dress; to edge a garden with box.
Hills whose tops were edged with groves.
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Edge
To make sharp or keen, figuratively; to incite; to exasperate; to goad; to urge or egg on.
By such reasonings, the simple were blinded, and the malicious edged.
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Edge
To move by little and little or cautiously, as by pressing forward edgewise; as, edging their chairs forwards.
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Edge
A sharp side formed by the intersection of two surfaces of an object;
He rounded the edges of the box
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Edge
A strip near the boundary of an object;
He jotted a note on the margin of the page
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Edge
Lie adjacent to another or share a boundary;
Canada adjoins the U.S.
England marches with Scotland
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are edges only found in solid objects?
Typically, yes, edges refer to the limits of solid objects.
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Can a border be intangible?
Yes, borders can be both physical and conceptual.
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Can a border also be an edge?
In some contexts, like a table, its border can also be its edge.
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Is the edge always sharp?
Not always; it simply refers to the outermost line or limit.
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Is the term "edge" used in technology?
Yes, it can refer to the forefront or cutting-edge technology.
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What is a border dispute?
A border dispute is a disagreement or conflict between two parties over the location or ownership of a border.
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Is the edge of a knife considered a border?
No, it's more accurately described as an edge due to its sharpness.
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What is the edge of a page called?
The edge of a page is often referred to as the "margin."
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Do all countries have clearly defined borders?
Not always; some borders, especially in conflict zones, can be disputed.
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What is a border crossing?
A border crossing is a designated point where people and goods can legally pass from one side of a border to another, often involving immigration and customs checks.
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What is the difference between "sharp edge" and "blunt edge"?
A sharp edge is pointed and can cut, while a blunt edge is rounded and not sharp.
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Can a border be natural?
Yes, like rivers or mountains forming natural borders.
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Are borders always straight lines?
No, they can be irregular, especially in natural or geographical contexts.
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Does "living on the edge" imply physical danger?
Metaphorically, it often implies risk-taking or a thrilling lifestyle.
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Can a border be natural, like a mountain range?
Yes, natural features like mountains, rivers, and oceans can serve as natural borders between regions.
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What does "open borders" mean?
"Open borders" refers to a policy where there are minimal or no restrictions on the movement of people or goods across a border.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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