near
close; to a point or place not far away: Come near so I won't have to shout.
at, within, or to a short distance.
close in time: The New Year draws near.
close in relation; closely with respect to connection, similarity, intimacy, etc. (often used in combination): a near-standing position.
all but; almost; nearly: a period of near 30 years.
Nautical. close to the wind.
Archaic. in a thrifty or stingy manner.
being close by; not distant: the near fields.
being the lesser in distance: the near side.
short or direct: the near road.
close in time: the near future.
closely related or connected: our nearest relatives.
close to an original: a near translation.
closely affecting one's interests or feelings: a matter of near consequence to one.
intimate or familiar: a near friend.
narrow or close: a near escape.
thrifty or stingy: near with one's pocketbook.
(of two draft animals hitched together) being on the driver's left (as opposed to off): The near horse is going lame.
at, to, or within a short distance, or no great distance, from or of: regions near the equator.
close to in time: near the beginning of the year.
close to a condition or state: He is near death.
to come or draw near; approach: The boat neared the dock. Storm clouds neared.
Idioms about near
near at hand,
in the immediate vicinity: There is a shopping area near at hand.
in the near future; soon: The departure is near at hand.
Origin of near
1Other words for near
11 | imminent, impending, approaching |
17 | tight, miserly |
Opposites for near
1, 2, 8-11, 18 | far |
17 | generous |
Other words from near
- nearness, noun
- o·ver·near, adjective, adverb
- o·ver·near·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use near in a sentence
Congress is nearing a vote on the Keystone XL pipeline, and lawmakers made their cases for—and against—it Sunday.
He hoped also to be a chaplain through his local church, and he was nearing the end of his formal training.
Liu was nearing the 20th anniversary of his arrival in America, having landed from China on Christmas Eve, 1994, at the age of 12.
It seems to me that he is playing the part of the valiant hero nearing his end.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days | David Freeman | December 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe was nearing the end of his sentence, but the woman enlisted Joplin to marry them before he was released.
The water suggested the fear that he must be nearing the open sea, and he became supernaturally grave.
The Giant of the North | R.M. BallantyneOn nearing the spot, Tom stopped a few moments, and bent down to examine a beautiful flower.
Hunting the Lions | R.M. BallantyneThey were about a mile on their way and the sun was nearing the horizon, when the native officer bade his escort halt.
The Red Year | Louis TracyHe was nearing a village, but saw nothing save a red mist that swam before him like a fog.
Uncanny Tales | VariousPoor Jake grew thin during the few days they spent in Savannah, and he knew he was nearing the end.
The Cromptons | Mary J. Holmes
British Dictionary definitions for near (1 of 2)
/ (nɪə) /
at or to a place or time not far away from; close to
at or to a place or time not far away; close by
near to not far from; near
short for nearly I was damn near killed
at or in a place not far away
(postpositive) not far away in time; imminent: departure time was near
(prenominal) only just successful or only just failing: a near escape
(postpositive) informal miserly, mean
(prenominal) closely connected or intimate: a near relation
to come or draw close (to)
Also called: nearside
the left side of a horse, team of animals, vehicle, etc
(as modifier): the near foreleg
Origin of near
1Derived forms of near
- nearness, noun
British Dictionary definitions for near- (2 of 2)
nearly; almost: a near-perfect landing
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with near
In addition to the idioms beginning with near
- near at hand
- near miss
- near thing
- near to one's heart
also see:
- far and near
- in the near future
- not anything like (anywhere near)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse