near

[neer]

adverb

nearer, nearest 

1. close; to a point or place not far away.

   Come near so I won't have to shout.

   Antonyms: far

2. at, within, or to a short distance.

   Antonyms: far

3. close in time.

   The New Year draws near.

4. close in relation; closely with respect to connection, similarity, intimacy, etc. (often used in combination).

   a near-standing position.

5. all but; almost; nearly.

   a period of near 30 years.

6. Nautical.,  close to the wind.

7. Archaic.,  in a thrifty or stingy manner.

adjective

nearer, nearest 

1. being close by; not distant.

   the near fields.

   Antonyms: far

2. being the lesser in distance.

   the near side.

   Antonyms: far

3. short or direct.

   the near road.

   Antonyms: far

4. close in time.

   the near future.

   Synonyms: impending, imminent
   Antonyms: far

5. closely related or connected.

   our nearest relatives.

6. close to an original.

   a near translation.

7. closely affecting one's interests or feelings.

   a matter of near consequence to one.

8. intimate or familiar.

   a near friend.

9. narrow or close.

   a near escape.

10. thrifty or stingy.

    near with one's pocketbook.

    Synonyms: miserly, tight
    Antonyms: generous

11. (of two draft animals hitched together) being on the driver's left (as opposed tooff ).

    The near horse is going lame.

    Antonyms: far

preposition

1. at, to, or within a short distance, or no great distance, from or of.

   regions near the equator.

2. close to in time.

   near the beginning of the year.

3. close to a condition or state.

   He is near death.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to come or draw near; approach.

   The boat neared the dock. Storm clouds neared.

near

¹

/ nɪə /

preposition

1. at or to a place or time not far away from; close to

adverb

1. at or to a place or time not far away; close by

2. not far from; near

3. short for nearly

   I was damn near killed

adjective

1. at or in a place not far away

2. (postpositive) not far away in time; imminent

   departure time was near

3. (prenominal) only just successful or only just failing

   a near escape

4. informal,  (postpositive) miserly, mean

5. (prenominal) closely connected or intimate

   a near relation

verb

1. to come or draw close (to)

noun

1. Also called: nearside. 

   1. the left side of a horse, team of animals, vehicle, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      the near foreleg

near-

²

combining form

1. nearly; almost

   a near-perfect landing

Other Word Forms

• nearness noun
• overnear adjective
• overnearness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of near¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English nere, Old English nēar, comparative of nēah nigh

Word History and Origins

Origin of near¹

Old English nēar (adv), comparative of nēah close, _nigh ; related to Old Frisian niār, Old Norse nǣr, Old High German nāhōr

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. near at hand,

   1. in the immediate vicinity.

      There is a shopping area near at hand.

   2. in the near future; soon.

      The departure is near at hand.

More idioms and phrases containing near

• far and near
• in the near future
• not anything like (anywhere near)

Example Sentences

He says the explosion injured his leg, but some people near him were killed.

From BBC

"I only come out during the day," says Ms Colgrove while walking her neighbour's dog near a small group of peaceful protesters.

From BBC

Among those who died was Anthony Marks, 51, who was assaulted in August 2024 near London's King's Cross station while sheltering in a bin shed.

From BBC

She and her husband moved four months ago to the city of Sderot — a 20-minute drive away — so as to be near their daughter’s memorial.

From Los Angeles Times

Former Olympic swimmer Roland Lee moved to live near the Wye in order to have access to open water for swimming.

From BBC

Related Words

• adjacent 
• adjoining 
• immediate 
• nearby 
• neighboring 
• warm