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near

SayNEER/nɪɚ//nɪə̯/

Adjectivenearer, nearest

Verbnears, nearing, neared

Adverbnearer, nearest

15 meanings of near

Practice

  1. 1
    close to (place)preposition
    Close to someone or something in place or time.

    Like sitting just a step or two away from a friend.

    We live near the school, so the kids walk there.

    He sat near the window to watch the rain.

    UsageSay near the school (not incorrect: near of the school).

    Similarby, beside, around

  2. 2
    adjective
    Not far away, or happening soon.

    The grocery store is near, so we usually walk there.

    Take the nearest exit if you smell smoke.

    UsageSay a nearby shop (not incorrect: a near shop). The shop is near is fine.

    Similarclose, nearby, handy, immediate

    Oppositefar, distant

  3. 3
    close to (quality)adjective
    Almost being something, but not fully or completely that thing.

    Like almost winning a race but losing at the very last second.

    Traffic slowed to a near standstill during rush hour.

    They sat in near silence for the whole trip.

    UsagePut near before a noun: a near disaster, near darkness.

    Similarvirtual

    Note
  4. 4
    preposition
    Almost the same as something in kind or amount.

    The temperature stayed near freezing all day.

    Nothing he cooked came near his mother's soup.

    UsageSay nowhere near: not close at all.

    Similarlike

    Note
  5. 5
    approachverbtransitive or intransitive
    To come closer to a place, person, or moment in time.

    Like walking step by step closer to a door.

    We get tired as we near the top of the hill.

    Summer was nearing, and the days grew longer.

    UsageSay neared the port (not incorrect: neared to the port), or as midnight neared.

    Similarapproach

  6. 6
    adverb
    Almost, or very close to being complete or total.

    Like a glass filled almost to the very top.

    The room was near empty by midnight.

    He was near frozen after the long walk in the snow.

    UsageMost people say nearly: nearly finished.

    Similaralmost, practically, virtually

    Note
  7. 7
    adverb
    To or at a place or time that is close.

    Come near and warm your hands by the fire.

    Winter is drawing near.

    UsageSay draw near: come closer.

    Similarclose

    Oppositefar, away

Practice

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Origin

This is an old English word meaning 'nearer.' It came from Old English and was shaped by Old Norse, and both go back to an old Germanic root meaning 'near.'

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts