boundary

/ˈbaʊndri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbaʊndri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbau̇n-d(ə-)rē/ (ame, mw)

boundary — noun

1. a line, real or imagined, that shows where one place, area, or property ends and

1.名詞C1
釋義

a line, real or imagined, that shows where one place, area, or property ends and another begins.

例句

Workers marked the boundary between the two farms with white posts.

pattern: the boundary between A and B

A low stone wall follows the boundary of the old school yard.

pattern: the boundary of + place

同義詞
  • border

    more common in everyday talk, especially for countries

  • edge

    broader and less exact; it is not always a dividing line

  • limit

    focuses on the furthest point rather than separation between two areas

反義詞
  • centre

    the middle area rather than the outer dividing line

文法句型

the boundary between A and B

the boundary of + place

property boundary

用法筆記

Common with between, of, and property. This sense can describe an official line on a map or an unseen dividing point in the real world.

常見錯誤

❌The fence is in the boundary of our land.
✅The fence is on the boundary of our land.
💡Use 'on' for a line that marks an edge.

2. the point where one area of thought, study, or principle stops and another start

2.名詞C1
釋義

the point where one area of thought, study, or principle stops and another starts.

例句

The course explores the boundary between history and politics.

pattern: the boundary between A and B

New phone cameras blur the boundary between work tools and toys.

pattern: blur the boundary between A and B

同義詞
  • limit

    more general; it does not always suggest two areas meeting

  • line

    less formal and often shorter in speech, as in 'the line between fact and fiction'

  • scope

    focuses on how much a subject covers, not the dividing point itself

文法句型

the boundary between A and B

the boundary of + principle/topic

blur the boundary

用法筆記

Often appears with between when two fields overlap, and with of when the discussion is about a rule or principle. Distinguish from noun/1, which is about places or physical areas.

3. the line of behaviour that a person or group is willing to accept from others.

3.名詞C1
釋義

the line of behaviour that a person or group is willing to accept from others.

例句

Nadia set clear boundaries about work calls after 9 p.m.

pattern: set boundaries

The teacher stopped the joke because it crossed a professional boundary.

pattern: cross a boundary

同義詞
  • limit

    broader and less personal; it can refer to ability or quantity as well

  • line

    informal, often used in phrases like 'cross the line'

  • rule

    more explicit and fixed, while boundaries can be personal or emotional

文法句型

set boundaries

respect someone's boundaries

cross a boundary

用法筆記

Usually plural when talking about personal or social rules. Distinguish from noun/2: this sense is about behaviour people allow, not the edge of an idea or field.

常見錯誤

❌You must respect her boundary.
✅You must respect her boundaries.
💡This sense is often plural when someone has several personal limits.

4. the rope, line, or similar marker around the outside of the cricket field.

4.名詞
釋義

the rope, line, or similar marker around the outside of the cricket field.

例句

The fielder ran to the boundary and saved two runs.

pattern: to the boundary

Fans sat beyond the boundary on folding chairs near the grass bank.

pattern: beyond the boundary

同義詞
  • boundary rope

    more exact when the edge is marked with a rope

  • line

    shorter and less specific; context must show it is the field edge

  • perimeter

    more formal and not used as often in cricket talk

文法句型

to the boundary

beyond the boundary

boundary rope

用法筆記

Used in cricket reports and commentary. It names the marked edge of the field, not the scoring shot in noun/5.

5. in cricket, a shot that carries the ball to or beyond the field edge for either

5.名詞
釋義

in cricket, a shot that carries the ball to or beyond the field edge for either four runs or six.

例句

Zane opened the innings with a boundary past the diving fielder.

pattern: hit a boundary

Two late boundaries, one for four and one for six, lifted the tired crowd.

pattern: score boundaries

同義詞
  • four

    specifically a boundary that reaches the edge after touching the ground

  • six

    specifically a boundary that clears the edge without first bouncing

  • scoring shot

    much broader; it can mean any shot that brings runs

文法句型

hit a boundary

score boundaries

boundary for four

用法筆記

Often countable in match reports: three boundaries, seven boundaries. A boundary can bring four or six runs, depending on how the ball reaches the edge.

常見錯誤

❌He scored a boundary, so the team got six runs.
✅He scored a boundary, so the team got four or six runs.
💡This word covers both results, not only six.