nearly
Americanadverb
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all but; almost.
nearly dead with cold.
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with close approximation.
a nearly perfect likeness.
-
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.
Geico’s premiums written were nearly flat, easing 0.3% to $11.71 billion.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 9, 2026
The company’s stock fell nearly 40% after complaints that its oat bars posed a potential choking hazard.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2026
Its research encompasses nearly every major area of modern physics, from the behavior of particles at quantum scales to the structure and evolution of the universe.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 9, 2026
Negotiators from nearly 200 countries are facing tough discussions over how to accelerate the energy transition and provide funds to help developing nations cope with the worsening climate emergency.
From Barron's ● Nov. 9, 2026
It was nearly dark when Torak woke up.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
