Adjoining – Definition and Part of Speech
The word adjoining is primarily used as an adjective. It refers to something that is next to or touching another object, area, or space. The term can describe physical proximity but may also be applied in abstract contexts, such as adjoining topics in a discussion.
Grammatically, “adjoining” functions similarly to adjectives like “adjacent,” conveying closeness without implying overlap or connection beyond mere contact.
Core Synonyms
Below is a table of primary synonyms for adjoining, each with a brief definition and example usage:
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjacent | Next to or touching, often used interchangeably with “adjoining.” | “The adjacent building shared the same garden space.” | Formal/Informal, Academic |
| Neighboring | Specifically next door or in close proximity; implies a relationship like that of neighbors. | “Our neighboring town has a similar festival every spring.” | Informal/Casual, Business |
| Bordering | Touches upon or along the edge of something; suggests a linear connection. | “The park is bordering our neighborhood to the east.” | Formal/Academic |
| Conterminous | Having a common boundary; often used in geographic contexts. | “Two districts are conterminous, sharing several public services.” | Academic/Formal |
Usage Notes
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Adjacent and adjoining can be used almost interchangeably when referring to things that touch or are next to one another without overlapping.
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Example Contexts: Describing the layout of rooms in a house, offices within a building, etc.
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Neighboring is preferred when discussing entities (like towns or buildings) with a friendly or relational connotation. It’s informal enough for everyday speech but can also fit into business contexts when describing locations.
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Example Contexts: Business discussions about partnerships or customer demographics.
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Bordering often implies a more linear connection and is commonly used in geographical descriptions where one entity abuts another along an edge.
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Example Contexts: Cartography, travel writing, academic papers on geography.
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Conterminous is best reserved for formal or academic discussions, particularly when dealing with geographical or political boundaries that share common borders.
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Example Contexts: Geography, history, legal documents concerning land use and districting.
Common Pitfalls
A common pitfall in using synonyms for “adjoining” is confusing conterminous with terms like contiguous, which implies more than sharing a boundary—often involving an uninterrupted connection or sequence. This distinction can be critical when precision is necessary, such as in legal documents or academic writing.
Final Recap
In summary, while “adjacent,” “neighboring,” “bordering,” and “conterminous” are all suitable synonyms for adjoining, they each carry unique nuances:
- Use adjacent and adjoining when you want to denote simple proximity.
- Choose neighboring to suggest a relationship similar to neighbors.
- Opt for bordering when highlighting linear connections, especially in geographic contexts.
- Employ conterminous for formal or academic discussions about shared boundaries.
To effectively expand your vocabulary and understanding of these terms, try crafting sentences or dialogues that incorporate each synonym. Engaging with the words in context will help cement their meanings and appropriate usage scenarios.