To be extremely close to a particular condition or quality without quite reaching it.
"His attention to detail verges on obsession sometimes."
The situation verges on the catastrophic.
— Common journalistic/political commentary formulation
To be very close to a particular state, quality, or condition — almost but not quite reaching it.
Be almost at the point of being something — nearly but not quite.
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
To be extremely close to a particular condition or quality without quite reaching it.
"His attention to detail verges on obsession sometimes."
The situation verges on the catastrophic.
— Common journalistic/political commentary formulation
To be on the verge (edge) of something — right at the boundary.
Be almost at the point of being something — nearly but not quite.
Commonly used in formal writing and speech to describe something approaching an extreme quality. Often carries a slightly negative or critical nuance. Frequently followed by abstract nouns: 'verge on the impossible', 'verge on madness', 'verge on genius'.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "verge on" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.