hedge meaning

UK /hɛdʒ/ US /hɛdʒ/ 1 syllable

hedge (verb): avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues).

hedge has 7 meanings in this dictionary, as verb and noun.

hedge as a verb

  1. avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
    • He dodged the issue
    • she skirted the problem
    • They tend to evade their responsibilities
    • he evaded the questions skillfully

    Synonyms: fudge, evade, put off, circumvent, parry, elude, skirt, dodge, duck, sidestep

    Type of: avoid

    Kinds: beg, quibble

    Related forms: hedger, hedging

  2. hinder or restrict with or as if with a hedge
    • The animals were hedged in

    Type of: hem in

  3. enclose or bound in with or as it with a hedge or hedges
    • hedge the property

    Synonyms: hedge in

    Type of: enclose

  4. minimize loss or risk
    • diversify your financial portfolio to hedge price risks
    • hedge your bets

    Type of: minimize

    Related forms: hedger

hedge as a noun

  1. a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes

    Synonyms: hedgerow

    Type of: fence

    Kinds: privet hedge, windbreak

  2. any technique designed to reduce or eliminate financial risk; for example, taking two positions that will offset each other if prices change

    Synonyms: hedging

    Type of: security

  3. an intentionally noncommittal or ambiguous statement
    • when you say `maybe' you are just hedging

    Synonyms: hedging

    Type of: evasion

How to pronounce hedge

hedge is pronounced /hɛdʒ/ in British English and /hɛdʒ/ in American English. It has 1 syllable.

Words that rhyme with hedge

Word lists: words starting with HE · words ending in GE · 5-letter words

More about hedge on Wikipedia.