nearly

American  

[neer-lee] / ˈnɪər li /

adverb

1. all but; almost.

   nearly dead with cold.

2. with close approximation.

   a nearly perfect likeness.

3. with close agreement or resemblance.

   a plan nearly like our own.

4. with close kinship, interest, or connection; intimately.

   nearly associated in business;

   two women nearly related.

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nearly British  

/ ˈnɪəlɪ /

adverb

1. not quite; almost; practically

2. nowhere near; not at all

   not nearly enough money

3. closely

   the person most nearly concerned

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Related Words

See almost.

Etymology

Origin of nearly

First recorded in 1530–40; near + -ly

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

The team spent nearly six years moving from the initial discovery of the unusual stainless steel to the deeper scientific explanation, then toward publication and potential industrial use.

From Science Daily • May 10, 2026

After a gain of 376 seats, nearly all of them at Labour’s expense, the Greens are players on the U.K.’s political map for the first time.

From Salon • May 10, 2026

The final flight to evacuate most of the ship's nearly 150 passengers and crew will leave for Australia on Monday, before the ship continues to the Netherlands, Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia said.

From Barron's • May 10, 2026

During World War II, the U.S. economy nearly doubled in size as a war economy was built on top of the civilian one.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

They take another series of photographs in the retiring room—me sitting at the piano, on the settee—and by the time those are finished I’ve nearly sweated through my pretend uniform.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

• approximately
• practically
• roughly
• virtually