almost
Americanadverb
adverb
Usage
See most.
Synonym Usage
Almost, most, nearly, well-nigh all mean within a small degree of or short space of. Almost implies very little short of: almost exhausted; almost home. Most is colloquial for almost. Nearly implies a slightly greater distance or degree than almost : nearly well; nearly to the city. Well-nigh, a more literary word, implies a barely appreciable distance or extent: well-nigh forgotten; well-nigh home.
Etymology
Origin of almost
First recorded before 1000; Middle English almost, almast, almest, Old English eall(e) mǣst “nearly all”
Explanation
Almost means "nearly," "roughly," or "not quite." If you're almost as tall as your brother, it means he's still just a bit taller than you are. If you almost got a great job, you came close but weren't ultimately successful, and if you're almost qualified to get your pilot's license, nobody's going to let you fly a plane quite yet. The adverb almost is perfect for describing things you come close to doing, or states you haven't yet reached. It has an Old English root, eallmæst, "nearly all," or literally, "mostly all."
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.
Driverless trucks are on the interstate in Texas and can do almost everything a human truck driver does, except honk.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
A rare pink diamond is going on display in France for the first time since it was stolen almost 100 years ago to the day - the last time it was shown to the public.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
In March, French newspaper Le Monde was able to locate the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in almost real time in the eastern Mediterranean, thanks to a sailor on board using the app.
From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026
The resulting film became infamous almost as soon as it was released and has never been readily available in the U.S, at least not in its full form.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
It almost seemed as if these humans sensed the Afterlife realms—some unconscious part of them guiding them along the path of least resistance.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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