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Synonyms

nearby

American  
[neer-bahy] / ˈnɪərˈbaɪ /

adjective

  1. close at hand; not far off; adjacent; neighboring.

    a nearby village.

adverb

  1. in the neighborhood or vicinity; close by.

    She works nearby.
nearby British  

adjective

  1. not far away; close at hand

"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

adverb

  1. close by

"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

Etymology

Origin of nearby

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; near, by

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.

The Saudi military protects a nearby palace with air defenses including a Patriot system whose coverage extends to the Diplomatic Quarter, former U.S. defense officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

A resident in Isfahan said balaclava-clad security forces had set up new checkpoints in the central Iranian city and nearby towns over the weekend.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

It said an area was considered affordable if average homes cost up to five times the average earnings of those working nearby.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

TMZ reported Tuesday evening that the “Hiss” rapper was rushed to a nearby hospital after she fell “very ill” during Tuesday’s performance.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

With the golden crane nearby she felt safe and lucky.

From "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" by Eleanor Coerr

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.