Meaning & Definition of Near in English
English⟶
Near
/nɪr/
verb
1. Move towards
- "We were approaching our destination"
- "They are drawing near"
- "The enemy army came nearer and nearer"
synonym:
- approach,
- near,
- come on,
- go up,
- draw near,
- draw close,
- come near
adjective
1. Not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances
- "Near neighbors"
- "In the near future"
- "They are near equals"
- "His nearest approach to success"
- "A very near thing"
- "A near hit by the bomb"
- "She was near tears"
- "She was close to tears"
- "Had a close call"
synonym:
- near,
- close,
- nigh
2. Being on the left side
- "The near or nigh horse is the one on the left"
- "The animal's left side is its near or nigh side"
synonym:
- near(a),
- nigh(a)
3. Closely resembling the genuine article
- "Near beer"
- "A dress of near satin"
synonym:
- near
4. Giving or spending with reluctance
- "Our cheeseparing administration"
- "Very close (or near) with his money"
- "A penny-pinching miserly old man"
synonym:
- cheeseparing,
- close,
- near,
- penny-pinching,
- skinny
5. With or in a close or intimate relationship
- "A good friend"
- "My sisters and brothers are near and dear"
synonym:
- dear,
- good,
- near
6. Very close in resemblance
- "Sketched in an approximate likeness"
- "A near likeness"
synonym:
- approximate,
- near
adverb
1. Near in time or place or relationship
- "As the wedding day drew near"
- "Stood near the door"
- "Don't shoot until they come near"
- "Getting near to the true explanation"
- "Her mother is always near"
- "The end draws nigh"
- "The bullet didn't come close"
- "Don't get too close to the fire"
synonym:
- near,
- nigh,
- close
2. (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished
- All but
- "The job is (just) about done"
- "The baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded"
- "We're almost finished"
- "The car all but ran her down"
- "He nearly fainted"
- "Talked for nigh onto 2 hours"
- "The recording is well-nigh perfect"
- "Virtually all the parties signed the contract"
- "I was near exhausted by the run"
- "Most everyone agrees"
synonym:
- about,
- almost,
- most,
- nearly,
- near,
- nigh,
- virtually,
- well-nigh
Examples of using
Your end is near.
Give me a reading on that meter near the boiler.
I live quite near here.