# near

Pronunciation: say "NEER" US /nɪɚ/, UK /nɪə̯/

## Preposition

1. At a short distance in space or time from someone or something.
   - Simple: Close to someone or something in place or time.
   - _The hotel is near the beach, just two blocks from the sand._
   - _Rescue teams searched the woods near the river all night._
4. Close to something in nature, quality, or degree.
   - Simple: Almost the same as something in kind or amount.
   - _The final bill was nowhere near what the builder had first quoted us._
   - _Her time in the race came near the record set ten years ago._

## Adjective

2. A short distance away in space or time; not far off.
   - Simple: Not far away, or happening soon.
   - _The shops are near, so most residents leave their cars at home._
   - _Officials say the bridge will reopen in the near future, but they have not given a date._
3. Coming very close to being something without quite reaching it.
   - Simple: Almost being something, but not fully or completely that thing.
   - _The crash was a near disaster, yet everyone walked away unhurt._
   - _The hall fell into near darkness when the power failed._
8. Close to one's affections or interests; dear, or closely related by family or friendship, as in near relatives or near and dear.
   - Simple: Closely related to you or very important to you.
   - _Protecting the old coastal wetlands is a cause near and dear to him._
   - _Issues near to her heart shaped every speech she gave._
10. On the left-hand side of a horse or team of horses; also, chiefly in British use, on the side of a vehicle next to the kerb, the left where traffic keeps left.
   - Simple: On the left side of a horse, or, in Britain, on the side of a car next to the kerb.
   - _The farrier lifted the near forefoot first, standing close against the horse's left shoulder._
   - _The near horse of the pair had thrown a shoe, so the carriage stopped at the next village._

## Verb

5. To come closer to someone or something in space or time.
   - Simple: To come closer to a place, person, or moment in time.
   - _Ships must slow down as they near the crowded port._
   - _As midnight neared, the crowd began to count down._

## Adverb

6. To a degree approaching completeness; almost or nearly.
   - Simple: Almost, or very close to being complete or total.
   - _Finishing the project on time was near impossible without more help._
   - _The twins look near identical, even to their own parents._
7. At or toward a spot that is close by in space or time.
   - Simple: To or at a place or time that is close.
   - _As the end of the school year drew near, the students found it harder to concentrate._
   - _As the holidays drew near, the shops grew busy._

## Adjective

9. Closely following or imitating an original; faithful and exact rather than loose or rambling. *(dated)*
   - Simple: Following something closely and exactly, not loose or wandering.
11. Direct and short; taking the most immediate route rather than a roundabout one. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: Short and direct, going straight there instead of the long way around.
12. Reluctant to spend or part with money; stingy and parsimonious. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: Not willing to spend or share money, and very tight with it.

## Other meanings

- (adjective) In a segmented memory architecture, lying inside whichever segment is currently selected.
- (noun) The left-hand side of a horse, or of a team of horses drawing a carriage or similar vehicle.
- (noun) A kidney, especially that of an animal.

## Origin

From Middle English nere, from Old English nēar ('nearer', the comparative of nēah 'nigh'), influenced by Old Norse nær ('near'). Both come from Proto-Germanic *nēhwiz ('nearer'), ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to reach.' It is related to German näher, Dutch naar, and Danish, Norwegian and Swedish forms, and it appears to owe much to the North Germanic languages.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/near (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).