# bordering

/ˈbɔɹdɝɪŋ/ (US) · /bˈɔːdəɹɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bordering
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. sharing a boundary

adjective · CEFR B2

having a common edge or boundary with something else.

For teachers: sharing a common boundary or border; physically adjacent.

- The two bordering countries agreed to open a new trade route.
- The dispute between the bordering nations intensified after natural resources were discovered directly beneath the shared frontier.

### 2. being next to

verb · CEFR B2

to be right next to something or to share an edge with it.

For teachers: to lie along the edge of; to be adjacent to a physical space.

- The garden was beautiful, with tall trees bordering the small pond.
- A narrow gravel path bordering the estate provides a scenic route for local hikers during the summer months.

### 4. decorative edge

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a pattern or decoration that forms an edge around something.

For teachers: the act of creating a border or the material used to form a decorative boundary.

- The intricate bordering on the rug was hand-woven by local artists.
- The architect specified a granite bordering for the courtyard to ensure the landscaping remained distinct from the pedestrian walkway.

## Examples

- His silence was bordering on rude.
- The project's delays were bordering on unacceptable, forcing the team to work weekends.
- The film's excessive use of slow motion bordered on pretentiousness, distracting from the raw emotional power of the central performance.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.