nearly

[ neer-lee ]

/ ˈnɪər li /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR nearly ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb

all but; almost: nearly dead with cold.

with close approximation: a nearly perfect likeness.

with close agreement or resemblance: a plan nearly like our own.

with close kinship, interest, or connection; intimately: nearly associated in business; two women nearly related.

Nearby words

near-term, nearby, nearctic, nearer tibet, nearest and dearest, nearly, nearshore, nearshoring, nearside, nearsighted, nearsightedness

Origin of nearly

First recorded in 1530–40; near + -ly

SYNONYMS FOR nearly

4 closely.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR nearly ON THESAURUS.COM

Synonym study

1. See almost.

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

Examples from the Web for nearly

For nearly her entire life Beyoncé has been giving us her blood, sweat, and tears in her career.
Bow Down, Bitches: How Beyoncé Turned an Elevator Brawl Into a Perfect Year|Kevin Fallon|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Aside from a blanket ban, social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit are nearly impossible to control.
China’s Internet Is Freer Than You Think|Brendon Hong|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ramos was 38—nearly two decades older than the average recruit.
In The Shadow of Murdered Cops|Michael Daly|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Since 2009, the goat has had a thriving Twitter presence as well, today enjoying up to nearly 8,000 followers.
Sweden’s Burning Christmas Goat|Nina Strochlic|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The incident sparked his belief in Santa, but he would have to wait nearly two decades before dressing up as Jolly St. Nick.
Kerry Bentivolio: The Congressman Who Believes in Santa Claus|Ben Jacobs|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And I've not only failed in nearly everything I undertook, but I've been a fool besides.
A Yankee from the West|Opie Read
The tumulus was then raised to nearly twice its present height.
The Paladins of Edwin the Great|Clements R. Markham
Micheli not only described the form but figured it, nearly two hundred years ago.
The North American Slime-Moulds|Thomas H. (Thomas Huston) MacBride
When nearly done, add some pieces of butter rolled in flour.
Miss Leslie's Lady's New Receipt-Book|Eliza Leslie
An Army man tackled me on their 25-yard line, after I had taken the ball down the field for nearly a touchdown.
Football Days|William H. Edwards

British Dictionary definitions for nearly

nearly

/ (ˈnɪəlɪ) /

adverb

not quite; almost; practically

not nearly nowhere near; not at allnot nearly enough money

closelythe person most nearly concerned

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