hedge - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com

A hedge is a living fence made of closely planted bushes, which, as they grow and get trimmed and shaped, form a wall of green.

Hedge can also be used as a verb. If you someone asks you a question and you hedge, you're avoiding a straight answer. If you hedge your bets, you're trying to minimize risk or loss — that is, you're trying to cover yourself no matter what happens. If you're not sure, for instance, what your boss's political views are, you can hedge your bets by not revealing yours.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: hedge

1	n v	a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes enclose or bound in with or as it with a hedge or hedges
2	n v	any technique designed to reduce or eliminate financial risk; for example, taking two positions that will offset each other if prices change minimize loss or risk
3	n v	an intentionally noncommittal or ambiguous statement avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)

FULL DEFINITIONS OF: hedge

1

n a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes

Synonyms:: hedgerow

Types:: privet hedge
hedge of privet plants; shelterbelt, windbreak
hedge or fence of trees designed to lessen the force of the wind and reduce erosion

Type of:: fence, fencing
a barrier that serves to enclose an area

v enclose or bound in with or as it with a hedge or hedges

“hedge the property”

Synonyms:: hedge in

Type of:: close in, enclose, inclose, shut in
surround completely

v hinder or restrict with or as if with a hedge

“The animals were hedged in”

Synonyms: hedge in
enclose or bound in with or as it with a hedge or hedges

Type of:: hem in
surround in a restrictive manner

2

n 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:: protection, security
defense against financial failure; financial independence

v minimize loss or risk

“diversify your financial portfolio to hedge price risks”

“hedge your bets”

Type of:: minimise, minimize
make small or insignificant

3

n an intentionally noncommittal or ambiguous statement

“when you say `maybe' you are just hedging”

Synonyms:: hedging

Type of:: equivocation, evasion
a statement that is not literally false but that cleverly avoids an unpleasant truth

v avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)

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

Types:: beg
dodge, avoid answering, or take for granted; quibble
evade the truth of a point or question by raising irrelevant objections

Type of:: avoid
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something