What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
periphery
Example
The city's development has expanded to the periphery, where new housing estates are being built. [periphery: noun]
Example
The company is looking to expand its business beyond the periphery of the city. [periphery: preposition]
edge
Example
Be careful not to cut yourself on the edge of that knife. [edge: noun]
Example
The team's performance was on the edge of disaster, but they managed to turn it around. [edge: preposition]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Edge is more commonly used than periphery in everyday language. Edge is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while periphery is less common and often used in more technical or specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between periphery and edge?
Periphery is typically associated with a more formal tone, while edge is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.