Edge vs. Side: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Edge refers to the sharp or distinct boundary of an object, while side denotes a flat, typically vertical, surface of an object or area.
Key Differences
Edge implies a sharper, more defined boundary of a surface, like the edge of a knife. Side refers to a broader, less distinct area, such as the side of a building.
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Nov 30, 2023
When describing objects, edge often connotes a line where two surfaces meet, as in the edge of a table. Side suggests a larger, more continuous surface area, like one side of a cube.
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In terms of comfort or danger, edge can imply risk or discomfort, like sitting on the edge of a seat. Side is used to indicate a safer, more stable area, such as standing by the side of the road.
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Edge is often used metaphorically to describe a competitive advantage or heightened state, as in having an edge over competitors. Side in metaphors typically refers to alignment or position, like being on someone's side.
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Edge has a sense of sharpness or abruptness, applicable in physical and abstract contexts, such as the edge of a cliff or the cutting edge of technology. Side implies a less drastic differentiation, like choosing a side in a debate or the sides of a story.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A sharp or distinct boundary.
A flat, extended surface of an object or area.
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Connotation
Sharpness, precision, or a point of transition.
A broader, more continuous aspect or position.
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Usage in Metaphors
Competitive advantage, heightened state.
Alignment, support, or one part of a duality.
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Physical Context
The meeting line of two surfaces.
A larger face or aspect of a three-dimensional object.
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Abstract Context
The forefront or cutting-edge aspect.
Position, standpoint, or perspective in an argument.
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Edge and Side Definitions
Edge
Edge is the boundary where two surfaces meet.
She traced her finger along the edge of the paper.
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Side
Side means a part or region next to or adjoining.
She stood on the side of the road waiting for help.
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Edge
Edge refers to a thin, sharpened side of a blade.
The knife's edge was sharp enough to cut through the fabric.
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Side
Side can indicate a position in a conflict or competition.
In the debate, he took the side of renewable energy advocates.
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Side
Side denotes one of two or more contrasting aspects or opinions.
There are two sides to every story.
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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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Oct 19, 2023
Edge
A slight but noticeable sharpness, harshness, or discomforting quality
His voice had an edge to it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Side
A surface of an object, especially a surface joining a top and bottom
The four sides of a box.
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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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Oct 19, 2023
Side
A surface of an object that lies on the left or right of that object as viewed from the front or back
From the shore, I watched my friends dive off the side of the boat.
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Edge
The line or area farthest away from the middle
Lifted the carpet's edge.
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Side
Either of the two surfaces of a thin, flat object
The front side of a piece of paper.
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Side
The part within an object or area to the left or right of the observer or of its vertical axis.
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Side
The left or right half of the trunk of a human or animal body
Always sleeps on his side.
A side of beef.
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Edge
A margin of superiority; an advantage
A slight edge over the opposition.
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Side
The space immediately next to something. Often used in combination
Courtside.
Dockside.
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Side
One of two or more contrasted parts or places within an area, identified by its location with respect to a center
The north side of the park.
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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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Side
An area separated from another area by an intervening feature, such as a line or barrier
On this side of the Atlantic.
The district on the other side of the railroad tracks.
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Side
One of two or more opposing individuals, groups, teams, or sets of opinions.
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Edge
To advance or push slightly or gradually
The dog edged the ball with its nose.
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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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Side
An incomplete script that shows the lines and cues of a single performer only.
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Side
An incomplete script that shows only what is to be filmed on a specific day or shoot.
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Side
Chiefly British In billiards, the spin given to a propelled ball by striking it off center.
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Oct 19, 2023
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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Oct 19, 2023
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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Oct 19, 2023
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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Edge
Sharpness; readiness or fitness to cut; keenness; intenseness of desire.
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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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Edge
(cricket) A shot where the ball comes off the edge of the bat, often unintentionally.
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Oct 19, 2023
Side
To align oneself in a disagreement
Sided with the conservatives in Congress.
Siding against the bill.
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Side
A bounding straight edge of a two-dimensional shape.
A square has four sides.
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Oct 19, 2023
Edge
A level of sexual arousal that is maintained just short of reaching the point of inevitability, or climax.
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Side
A flat surface of a three-dimensional object; a face.
A cube has six sides.
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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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Side
One half (left or right, top or bottom, front or back, etc.) of something or someone.
Which side of the tray shall I put it on?
The patient was bleeding on the right side.
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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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Side
A region in a specified position with respect to something.
Meet me on the north side of the monument.
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Edge
(intransitive) To move slowly and carefully in a particular direction.
He edged away from her.
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Side
The portion of the human torso usually covered by the arms when they are not raised; the areas on the left and right between the belly or chest and the back.
I generally sleep on my side.
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Side
One surface of a sheet of paper (used instead of "page", which can mean one or both surfaces.)
John wrote 15 sides for his essay!
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Oct 19, 2023
Side
One possible aspect of a concept, person, or thing.
Look on the bright side.
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Oct 19, 2023
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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Oct 19, 2023
Edge
(figurative) To make sharp or keen; to incite; to exasperate; to goad; to urge or egg on.
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Oct 19, 2023
Side
A group having a particular allegiance in a conflict or competition.
In the Second World War, the Italians were on the side of the Germans until Italy switched sides in 1943.
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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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Side
A television channel, usually as opposed to the one currently being watched (from when there were only two channels).
I just want to see what's on the other side — James said there was a good film on tonight.
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Oct 19, 2023
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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Oct 19, 2023
Side
A dish that accompanies the main course; a side dish.
Do you want a side of cole-slaw with that?
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Oct 19, 2023
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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Oct 19, 2023
Side
A line of descent traced through a particular parent, as distinguished from that traced through another.
His mother's side of the family
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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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Side
(baseball) The batters faced in an inning by a particular pitcher.
Clayton Kershaw struck out the side in the 6th inning.
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Oct 19, 2023
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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Side
(drama) A written monologue or part of a scene to be read by an actor at an audition.
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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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Oct 19, 2023
Side
A man who prefers not to engage in anal sex during same-sex sexual activity.
My boyfriend and I are both sides; we prefer to do oral and other stuff.
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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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Oct 19, 2023
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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Side
(intransitive) To ally oneself, be in an alliance, usually with "with" or rarely "in with"
Which will you side with, good or evil?
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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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Oct 19, 2023
Side
To work (a timber or rib) to a certain thickness by trimming the sides.
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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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Edge
Edge signifies a competitive advantage.
Their advanced technology gave them an edge in the market.
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Nov 30, 2023
Edge
Edge can mean a brink or verge.
He stood at the edge of the canyon, looking down.
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Side
The margin, edge, verge, or border of a surface; especially (when the thing spoken of is somewhat oblong in shape), one of the longer edges as distinguished from the shorter edges, called ends; a bounding line of a geometrical figure; as, the side of a field, of a square or triangle, of a river, of a road, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Edge
Edge implies a line of transition or division.
The garden was bordered by an edge of stones.
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Nov 30, 2023
Side
Any outer portion of a thing considered apart from, and yet in relation to, the rest; as, the upper side of a sphere; also, any part or position viewed as opposite to or contrasted with another; as, this or that side.
Looking round on every side beheldA pathless desert.
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Oct 19, 2023
Side
One of the halves of the body, of an animals or man, on either side of the mesial plane; or that which pertains to such a half; as, a side of beef; a side of sole leather.
One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side.
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Oct 19, 2023
Side
A slope or declivity, as of a hill, considered as opposed to another slope over the ridge.
Along the side of yon small hill.
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Side
The position of a person or party regarded as opposed to another person or party, whether as a rival or a foe; a body of advocates or partisans; a party; hence, the interest or cause which one maintains against another; a doctrine or view opposed to another.
God on our side, doubt not of victory.
We have not always been of the . . . same side in politics.
Sets the passions on the side of truth.
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Oct 19, 2023
Side
A line of descent traced through one parent as distinguished from that traced through another.
To sit upon thy father David's throne,By mother's side thy father.
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Side
Fig.: Aspect or part regarded as contrasted with some other; as, the bright side of poverty.
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Side
Of or pertaining to a side, or the sides; being on the side, or toward the side; lateral.
One mighty squadron with a side wind sped.
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Side
Hence, indirect; oblique; collateral; incidental; as, a side issue; a side view or remark.
The law hath no side respect to their persons.
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Side
Long; large; extensive.
His gown had side sleeves down to mid leg.
To insure a side-box station at half price.
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Oct 19, 2023
Side
To embrace the opinions of one party, or engage in its interest, in opposition to another party; to take sides; as, to side with the ministerial party.
All side in parties, and begin the attack.
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Oct 19, 2023
Side
To be or stand at the side of; to be on the side toward.
His blind eye that sided Paridell.
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Side
To work (a timber or rib) to a certain thickness by trimming the sides.
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Oct 19, 2023
Side
A place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location;
They always sat on the right side of the church
He never left my side
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Side
One of two or more contesting groups;
The Confederate side was prepared to attack
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Side
An extended outer surface of an object;
He turned the box over to examine the bottom side
They painted all four sides of the house
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Oct 19, 2023
Side
A surface forming part of the outside of an object;
He examined all sides of the crystal
Dew dripped from the face of the leaf
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Side
A line segment forming part of the perimeter of a plane figure;
The hypotenuse of a right triangle is always the longest side
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Side
An aspect of something (as contrasted with some other implied aspect);
He was on the heavy side
He is on the purchasing side of the business
It brought out his better side
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Side
An opinion that is held in opposition to another in an argument or dispute;
There are two sides to every question
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Oct 19, 2023
Side
An elevated geological formation;
He climbed the steep slope
The house was built on the side of the mountain
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Side
(sports) the spin given to a ball by striking it on one side or releasing it with a sharp twist
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Oct 19, 2023
Side
Take sides with; align oneself with; show strong sympathy for;
We all rooted for the home team
I'm pulling for the underdog
Are you siding with the defender of the title?
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Oct 19, 2023
Side
Take the side of; be on the side of;
Whose side are you on?
Why are you taking sides with the accused?
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Oct 19, 2023
Side
Side refers to a flat surface of an object.
The side of the box was decorated with intricate patterns.
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Nov 30, 2023
Side
Side implies a lateral part or face of something.
The side of the mountain was steep and challenging to climb.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is the edge always sharp?
Not always sharp, but it's typically a more defined line.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can side refer to an opinion?
Yes, like in the phrase “taking sides in a debate.”
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Nov 30, 2023
Does edge imply danger?
In certain contexts, like "edge of a cliff," it can imply danger.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can edge and side be used interchangeably?
No, as edge refers to a boundary line, while side is a broader surface.
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Nov 30, 2023
Does edge have a metaphorical meaning?
Yes, like being on the "edge of discovery."
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Nov 30, 2023
Can side indicate a part of an area?
Yes, like "the left side of the room."
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Nov 30, 2023
What does side mean?
Side refers to a flat, usually vertical, surface of an object.
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Nov 30, 2023
What does 'on the edge of your seat' mean?
It means being very excited or anxious.
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Nov 30, 2023
How do you use edge in a sentence?
"Be careful of the sharp edge of this blade."
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Nov 30, 2023
What does 'by your side' mean?
It means to support or stay close to someone.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can edge refer to a competitive advantage?
Yes, as in “having an edge in business.”
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Nov 30, 2023
Can side be used in geometry?
Yes, referring to a face of a geometric figure.
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Is edge used in mathematics?
Yes, referring to the line segment between vertices in a polygon.
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Nov 30, 2023
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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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