near

[ neer ]

adverb

, near·er, near·est.

1. close; to a point or place not far away:

   Come near so I won't have to shout.

   Antonyms: far

2. at, within, or to a short distance.

   Antonyms: far

3. close in time:

   The New Year draws near.

4. close in relation; closely with respect to connection, similarity, intimacy, etc. (often used in combination):

   a near-standing position.

5. all but; almost; nearly:

   a period of near 30 years.

6. Nautical. close to the wind.
7. Archaic. in a thrifty or stingy manner.

adjective

, near·er, near·est.

1. being close by; not distant:

   the near fields.

   Antonyms: far

2. being the lesser in distance:

   the near side.

   Antonyms: far

3. short or direct:

   the near road.

   Antonyms: far

4. close in time:

   the near future.

   Synonyms: impending, imminent

   Antonyms: far

5. closely related or connected:

   our nearest relatives.

6. close to an original:

   a near translation.

7. closely affecting one's interests or feelings:

   a matter of near consequence to one.

8. intimate or familiar:

   a near friend.

9. narrow or close:

   a near escape.

10. thrifty or stingy:

    near with one's pocketbook.

    Synonyms: miserly, tight

    Antonyms: generous

11. (of two draft animals hitched together) being on the driver's left (as opposed to off ):

    The near horse is going lame.

    Antonyms: far

preposition

1. at, to, or within a short distance, or no great distance, from or of:

   regions near the equator.

2. close to in time:

   near the beginning of the year.

3. close to a condition or state:

   He is near death.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to come or draw near; approach:

   The boat neared the dock. Storm clouds neared.

near-

¹

combining_form

1. nearly; almost

   a near-perfect landing

near

²

/ nɪə /

preposition

1. at or to a place or time not far away from; close to

adverb

1. at or to a place or time not far away; close by
2. near to
   not far from; near
3. short for nearly

   I was damn near killed

adjective

1. at or in a place not far away
2. postpositive not far away in time; imminent

   departure time was near

3. prenominal only just successful or only just failing

   a near escape

4. informal.
   postpositive miserly, mean
5. prenominal closely connected or intimate

   a near relation

verb

1. to come or draw close (to)

noun

1. Also callednearside
   1. the left side of a horse, team of animals, vehicle, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      the near foreleg

Derived Forms

• ˈnearness, noun

Other Words From

• nearness noun
• over·near adjective adverb
• over·nearness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of near¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English nere, Old English nēar, comparative of nēah nigh

Word History and Origins

Origin of near¹

Old English nēar (adv), comparative of nēah close, nigh ; related to Old Frisian niār, Old Norse nǣr, Old High German nāhōr

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. near at hand,
   1. in the immediate vicinity:

      There is a shopping area near at hand.

   2. in the near future; soon:

      The departure is near at hand.

More idioms and phrases containing near

• far and near
• in the near future
• not anything like (anywhere near)

Example Sentences

Then he’ll hop the state border into western Pennsylvania for a campaign rally near Pittsburgh.

From Washington Post

It already removes them from recommendations, restricts them from search, and in the near future, it says it will reduce their content in News Feed.

From TechCrunch

Cutler envisions putting underwater datacenters near offshore wind farms to power them sustainably.

From Singularity Hub 

Authorities three days later arrested several people during an unsanctioned LGBTQ rights march that took place near the Cuban Capitol in Havana.

From Washington Blade

You can also head to Finder, Applications, and Utilities—it should be at or near the top of the list.

From Popular-Science

Certainly, she seems to command near-total devotion among her clients.

From The Daily Beast

Occasionally a pamphlet for a salsa class might be tossed on a doorstop or stuck on a pole near a bus stop.

From The Daily Beast

While the world fixated on Ukraine and Syria, a near-genocide ripped through central Africa, to little international fanfare.

From The Daily Beast

A 2008 Pakistani raid near Turbat turned up Abdolhamid Rigi, the brother of Abdelmalek Rigi.

From The Daily Beast

After the defeat of ISIS in Sinjar, most other locals have been left wondering who might rule the city in the near future.

From The Daily Beast

The country is well inhabited, for it contains fifty-one cities, near a hundred walled towns, and a great number of villages.

From Project Gutenberg

The two women had no intention of bathing; they had just strolled down to the beach for a walk and to be alone and near the water.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a lathe near the spot where David Arden stood, and shavings and splinters under his feet.

From Project Gutenberg

Madame Ratignolle laid her hand over that of Mrs. Pontellier, which was near her.

From Project Gutenberg

Edmund de la Pole, earl of Suffolk, on account of his near relationship to the house of York, beheaded.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adjacent
• adjoining
• immediate
• nearby
• neighboring
• warm