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Definition of 'borderline'

Word Frequency

borderline

(bɔːʳdəʳlaɪn )
Word forms: plural borderlines
1. countable noun
The borderline between two different or opposite things is the division between them.
...a task which involves exploring the borderline between painting and photography. [+ between]
[Also + of]
Synonyms: dividing line, divide, boundary, cut-off point   More Synonyms of borderline
2. adjective
Something that is borderline is only just acceptable as a member of a class or group.
Some were obviously unsuitable and could be ruled out at once. Others were borderline cases.
Synonyms: marginal, bordering, doubtful, peripheral   More Synonyms of borderline
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

Video: pronunciation of 'borderline'

Word Frequency

borderline in British

(ˈbɔːdəˌlaɪn )
noun
1. 
a border; dividing line; line of demarcation
2. 
an indeterminate position between two conditions or qualities
the borderline between friendship and love
adjective
3. 
on the edge of one category and verging on another
a borderline failure in the exam
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency

borderline in American

(ˈbɔrdərˌlaɪn ; bôrˈdərlīnˌ)
noun
1. 
a boundary; dividing line
adjective
2. 
on a boundary; specif., on the boundary of what is acceptable, valid, or normal; hence, having a questionable or indefinite status
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Example sentences containing 'borderline'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
Stan's shop is just into Hove but a chance visitor, moving west through the tangle of streets, would never know wherethe borderline lay. Malcolm, John GOTHIC PURSUIT (2000)

Trends of 'borderline'

In Common Usage. borderline is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'borderline'

British English: borderline NOUN
The borderline between two different or opposite things is the division between them.
...a task which involves exploring the borderline between painting and photography.
  • American English: borderline
  • Brazilian Portuguese: fronteira
  • Chinese: 分界线
  • European Spanish: frontera
  • French: limite
  • German: Grenze
  • Italian: linea di demarcazione
  • Japanese: 境界線
  • Korean: 경계선
  • European Portuguese: fronteira
  • Spanish: frontera
British English: borderline ADJECTIVE
Something that is borderline is only just acceptable as a member of a class or group.
Some were obviously unsuitable and could be ruled out at once. Others were borderline cases.
  • American English: borderline
  • Brazilian Portuguese: mediano
  • Chinese: 及格的
  • European Spanish: incierto
  • French: limite
  • German: Grenz-
  • Italian: limite
  • Japanese: ぎりぎりの
  • Korean: 아슬아슬한
  • European Portuguese: mediano
  • Spanish: incierto

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Nearby words of 'borderline'

  • bordering countries
  • borderland
  • borderless
  • borderline
  • borderline case
  • borderline personality disorder
  • Borders

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'B'

Related Terms of 'borderline'

  • borderline case
  • borderline personality disorder

Source

Definition of borderline from the Collins English Dictionary

Subordination

When two or more clauses are joined by a conjunction other than and, but, or, or yet, one of the clauses is the main clause; the other clauses are subordinate clauses. The different types of subordin...
Read more about 'Subordination'
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Scrabble score for 'borderline': 13
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