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
Synonym Usage
See almost.
Etymology
Origin of nearly
Explanation
When something nearly happens, it comes very close to occurring, but doesn't. Nearly is a useful adverb for describing things that are almost accomplished. If you and your brother nearly win the three-legged race, you lose by a matter of seconds. And, if you nearly drop your dog's leash at a busy intersection, your heart might pound from the closeness of your best pal's brush with danger. An interesting detail about nearly is that it nearly ended up with a different meaning: until the late 1600s, in fact, it meant "carefully."
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.
He was sidelined for nearly five months, undergoing specialist cardiac monitoring, before returning to play.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026
Plus, a $5 billion flurry of nearly identical Kalshi trades draw scrutiny, and meet the vigilante taking on recruitment scammers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
It sold nearly 852,000 Chinese-made Model Y and Model 3 EVs in 2025, down 7% from a year before.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026
In April, he made his Coachella headlining debut, playing a nearly 90-minute set.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026
I knew they were so green, but the light was nearly gone.
From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott
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.
