nearly
Americanadverb
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all but; almost.
nearly dead with cold.
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with close approximation.
a nearly perfect likeness.
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with close agreement or resemblance.
a plan nearly like our own.
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with close kinship, interest, or connection; intimately.
nearly associated in business;
two women nearly related.
adverb
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not quite; almost; practically
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nowhere near; not at all
not nearly enough money
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closely
the person most nearly concerned
Related Words
See almost.
Etymology
Origin of nearly
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.
That’s 1.2 million fewer than last year, but still 6.8 million more than in 2023 and nearly twice as many as in 2021.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
The demolition also destroyed the community primary school, leaving nearly 500 pupils out of class for months.
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
The drab Chevron at the edge of Chinatown these days is charging nearly $9 a gallon, $3 more than the Los Angeles area’s average of $5.72.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
They hugged close to the shore of Oman's Musandam Peninsula -- a first in nearly three weeks according to Lloyd's List.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
It was pretty nearly dark on our way home.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
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.
