nearly

[neer-lee]

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.

Origin of nearly

First recorded in 1530–40; near + -ly

Synonyms

See more synonyms for nearly on Thesaurus.com

4. closely.

Synonym study

1. See almost.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for nearly

Contemporary Examples

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
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
Ramos was 38—nearly two decades older than the average recruit.
In The Shadow of Murdered Cops
Michael Daly
December 26, 2014
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
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

Historical Examples

They had also taken the two available guns, and nearly all the ammunition.
Explorations in Australia
John Forrest
In his pocket there were nearly two hundred dollars, not likely to be of any service to him.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
I've wasted nearly three hours here now, dilly-dallying along.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
It was to be at his free disposal, and this was nearly the same thing as owning it.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
In the hands of nearly every third person was a printed paper.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327
Various

British Dictionary definitions for nearly

nearly

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

Word Origin and History for nearly

adv.

1530s, "carefully;" sense of "almost, all but" is from 1680s; see near + -ly (2).

nearly

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Synonyms

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for nearly

Contemporary Examples

For nearly her entire life Beyoncé has been giving us her blood, sweat, and tears in her career.

Aside from a blanket ban, social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit are nearly impossible to control.

Ramos was 38—nearly two decades older than the average recruit.

Since 2009, the goat has had a thriving Twitter presence as well, today enjoying up to nearly 8,000 followers.

The incident sparked his belief in Santa, but he would have to wait nearly two decades before dressing up as Jolly St. Nick.

Historical Examples

They had also taken the two available guns, and nearly all the ammunition.

In his pocket there were nearly two hundred dollars, not likely to be of any service to him.

I've wasted nearly three hours here now, dilly-dallying along.

It was to be at his free disposal, and this was nearly the same thing as owning it.

In the hands of nearly every third person was a printed paper.

nearly

Word Origin and History for nearly

adv.

Origin of nearly