near

[neer]

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adverb, near·er, near·est.

close; to a point or place not far away: Come near so I won't have to shout.

at, within, or to a short distance.

close in time: The New Year draws near.

close in relation; closely with respect to connection, similarity, intimacy, etc. (often used in combination): a near-standing position.

all but; almost; nearly: a period of near 30 years.

Nautical. close to the wind.

Archaic. in a thrifty or stingy manner.

adjective, near·er, near·est.

being close by; not distant: the near fields.

being the lesser in distance: the near side.

short or direct: the near road.

close in time: the near future.

closely related or connected: our nearest relatives.

close to an original: a near translation.

closely affecting one's interests or feelings: a matter of near consequence to one.

intimate or familiar: a near friend.

narrow or close: a near escape.

thrifty or stingy: near with one's pocketbook.

(of two draft animals hitched together) being on the driver's left (as opposed to off): The near horse is going lame.

preposition

at, to, or within a short distance, or no great distance, from or of: regions near the equator.

close to in time: near the beginning of the year.

close to a condition or state: He is near death.

verb (used with or without object)

to come or draw near; approach: The boat neared the dock. Storm clouds neared.

Idioms

near at hand,

in the immediate vicinity: There is a shopping area near at hand.
in the near future; soon: The departure is near at hand.

Origin of near

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

Related formsnear·ness, nouno·ver·near, adjective, adverbo·ver·near·ness, noun

Synonyms for near

11. imminent, impending, approaching. 17. tight, miserly.

Antonyms for near

1, 2, 8–11, 18. far. 17. generous.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for nearer

neighboring, immediate, warm, adjoining, adjacent, nearby, imminent, impending, dear, friendly, burning, touching, ready, close, bordering, abutting, nigh, expected, coming, approximate

Examples from the Web for nearer

Contemporary Examples of nearer

I knew that every time I met him brought him nearer to the accomplishment of his purpose and my fate.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show
Robert W. Chambers
February 20, 2014
Old Bagan, which is nearer to the ruins, is now devoid of inhabitants and only hosts a few sleepy old hotels.
Temple Hopping in the Paradise of Bagan, Burma
Nina Strochlic
December 5, 2013

Historical Examples of nearer

A bell had been tinkling nearer and nearer on the road ahead.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
I'm nearer sunstroke myself than he is—not a wink of sleep for two nights now.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
Still there were other and nearer roads to the point I aimed at.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327
Various
In the nearer ranks we may discern the variety of ingredients that compose the mass.
Biographical Sketches
Nathaniel Hawthorne
We prove that we are nearer the truth by our greater command of the Father's resources.
The Conquest of Fear
Basil King

British Dictionary definitions for nearer

near

preposition

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

adverb

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

near to not far from; near

short for nearly I was damn near killed

adjective

at or in a place not far away

(postpositive) not far away in time; imminentdeparture time was near

(prenominal) only just successful or only just failinga near escape

(postpositive) informal miserly, mean

(prenominal) closely connected or intimatea near relation

verb

to come or draw close (to)

noun

Also called: nearside

the left side of a horse, team of animals, vehicle, etc
(as modifier)the near foreleg

Derived Formsnearness, noun

Word Origin for near

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

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

Word Origin and History for nearer

near

adv.

Old English near "closer, nearer," comparative of neah, neh"nigh." Influenced by Old Norse naer "near," it came to be used as a positive form mid-13c., and new comparative nearer developed 1500s (see nigh). As an adjective from c.1300. Originally an adverb but now supplanted in most such senses by nearly; it has in turn supplanted correct nigh as an adjective. Related: Nearness. In near and dear (1620s) it refers to nearness of kinship. Near East first attested 1891, in Kipling. Near beer "low-alcoholic brew" is from 1908.

near

"to draw near," 1510s, from near (adv.). Related: Neared; nearing.

Idioms and Phrases with nearer

near

In addition to the idioms beginning with near

near at hand
near miss
near thing
near to one's heart

also see:

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