hedge

A row of bushes grown to divide land or surround a garden.

• A hedge surrounds our garden.
• Dad trimmed the hedge yesterday.
• Birds are nesting in the tall hedges beside the path.

Similar words: hedgerow

Common phrases: garden hedge, trim a hedge, tall hedge, thick hedge

An investment or agreement that helps protect you from losing money when prices change.

• This contract provides a hedge against rising prices.
• The fund uses several hedges to limit losses.
• They need a better hedge against currency changes.

How to use it: hedge against something (The company bought gold as a hedge against inflation.)

Similar words: protection, safeguard

Common phrases: hedge against inflation, currency hedge, effective hedge

To avoid giving a clear answer or making a firm promise.

• Stop hedging and answer the question.
• He hedged when I asked about the cost.
• The minister hedged her promises with careful conditions.

How to use it: hedge something with something (She hedged her answer with several qualifications.)

Similar words: equivocate, evade

Common phrases: hedge an answer, hedge a statement, hedge with qualifications

To surround land with a row of bushes.

• They plan to hedge the field.
• We hedged the garden with hawthorn.
• The farmer had hedged every small pasture.

How to use it: hedge something with something (They hedged the garden with thick evergreen bushes.)

Similar words: enclose

Common phrases: hedge a field, hedge a garden, hedge with hawthorn

To surround someone or something, or place things around them that prevent free movement or action.

• Thick bushes hedged the narrow path.
• Their freedom was hedged about with strict rules.
• The crowd hedged him in near the door.

How to use it: hedge someone/something in (High walls hedged us in on every side.); hedge something with something (The agreement was hedged with restrictions.)

Similar words: surround, hem in, obstruct

Common phrases: hedge someone in, hedge something about, hedge with restrictions