hedge
Plural
hedges
1
a row of closely-planted bushes or small trees that form a boundary, particularly on the edge of a garden, road, or field
A hedge is a row of closely planted shrubs or small trees that are often used to form a boundary, fence, or decorative feature in gardens or landscapes. Hedges are trimmed and shaped to grow in a dense, continuous line, providing privacy, wind protection, or an attractive division between areas. Hedges can be evergreen, maintaining their leaves throughout the year, or deciduous, losing their leaves in the fall. They are commonly used for both functional purposes, like creating a natural fence, and aesthetic reasons, such as adding structure and color to outdoor spaces.
- The garden was enclosed by a tall hedge that provided privacy.
- They trimmed the hedge along the driveway to keep it neat.
- He planted a hedge around the backyard to create a natural fence.
- The rabbits often hid behind the hedge when they played in the garden.
- A low hedge separated the two front yards, allowing for visibility and easy access.
Synonyms:
2
a deliberately vague statement
- His response was a hedge, avoiding any clear position.
- She made a hedge about her future plans to avoid confrontation.
- The politician's statement was a hedge that satisfied no one.
- He offered a hedge when asked about the project's success.
- Rather than give a direct answer, she used a hedge to remain neutral.
Synonyms:
3
a thing or method that protects one against potential problems, particularly financial ones
- The investor used a hedge to protect their portfolio against market volatility.
- A hedge is a financial instrument used to offset the risk of adverse price movements in assets.
- The company implemented a currency hedge to mitigate the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on its international transactions.
- Hedge funds often use sophisticated strategies to generate returns while minimizing risk.
- An options hedge can be an effective way to limit potential losses in a volatile market.
Synonyms:
4
a linguistic device used to indicate uncertainty, vagueness, or lack of commitment, often expressed through words or phrases
A hedge is a word or phrase used in conversation to lessen the impact of a statement, making it less direct or assertive. A hedge allows speakers to soften their claims or opinions, often to express uncertainty, politeness, or caution. Common examples of hedges include words like "maybe," "possibly," "I think," and "kind of." For instance, saying "I think it might rain" is a hedge that suggests uncertainty about the weather rather than a strong assertion. Using hedges can help maintain a friendly tone in discussions and make it easier to share opinions without coming across as overly forceful or confrontational.
- Phrases like "I think" or "maybe" are common hedges in conversation.
- Linguists study hedges to understand how speakers soften assertions.
- Academic writing often requires careful hedging to avoid overgeneralization.
- Her use of hedges made the critique less harsh.
- Hedges can signal politeness or caution in speech.