# cusp

/ˈkəsp/ (US) · /kˈʌsp/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cusp
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

the point in time when something is just about to change into something else. You are on the edge of a new experience or stage.

For teachers: a point of transition between two different states or conditions. Often used in the prepositional phrase 'on the cusp of' to indicate an imminent change.

## Examples

- The young scientist is on the cusp of a major discovery.
- The country stood on the cusp of a technological revolution that would change how everyone worked.
- Many historians argue that the late eighteenth century sat on the cusp of modernity, balancing traditional social hierarchies against the rising tide of industrial innovation.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used with the preposition 'of' to describe being at the edge of a significant event.

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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.