Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

borderline

adjective / noun

/ˈbɔːrdərlaɪn/

Definition

A line that marks the boundary between two areas or categories.

Examples

The patient showed borderline symptoms that required further assessment.
She was borderline upset after hearing the news, not fully crying but clearly affected.
His performance on the test was borderline, barely passing the required score.

Meaning

The term ‘borderline’ can refer to something that is on the edge or margin of a defined category or situation. It can also describe a condition that is not clearly defined or situated almost at the threshold of a certain characteristic.