proximity
Americannoun
noun
-
nearness in space or time
-
nearness or closeness in a series
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of proximity
First recorded in 1475–85; late Middle English; from Middle French proximité, from Latin proximitāt-, stem of proximitās “nearness, adjacent area, vicinity”
Explanation
The word proximity means nearness or closeness. "Because of the proximity of our desks, I couldn't help but notice him cheating on the exam." Your favorite thing about your neighborhood of attached row houses might be the proximity of your neighbors — they're really close to you. Proximity comes from the Latin proximus, "nearest," which also gives us approximate, "close to the actual." You can use this noun to talk about a physical closeness, or something that's near in time, like the proximity of the months April and May.
Vocabulary lists containing proximity
The Great Gatsby
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Hamilton
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1984
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Cheap hydropower, relatively low labor costs and proximity to U.S. markets have further deepened investor interest.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
When we read “The White Album,” the class is fascinated by Didion’s renovations of form and enthralled by her proximity to the Manson Family.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
Because these celebrity exorcists are imbued with a kind of divine authority in their audiences’ minds by their proximity to supernatural matters, their social media followings can be unusually strong and loyal.
From Slate • Jun. 8, 2026
Also under scrutiny is the alleged proximity between Diez and Mercedes Gonzalez, a former Socialist activist and elected official who was appointed director general of the Civil Guard in 2024 at the government's proposal.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
It was nice to have women who looked like me in close proximity on a campus that was overwhelmingly white.
From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
