nigh

[ nahy ]

adverb

1. near in space, time, or relation:

   The time draws nigh.

2. nearly; almost; (often followed by on or onto ):

   nigh onto twenty years.

adjective

, nigh·er, nigh·est.

1. near; approaching:

   Evening is nigh.

2. short or direct:

   to take the nighest route.

3. (of an animal or vehicle) being on the left side:

   to be astride the nigh horse.

4. Archaic. parsimonious; stingy.

preposition

1. near.

verb (used with or without object)

1. Archaic. to approach.

nigh

/ naɪ /

adjective

1. an archaic, poetic, or dialect word for near

Other Words From

• un·nigh adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nigh¹

before 900; Middle English nigh ( e ), neye, Old English nēah, nēh, cognate with Dutch na, German nahe, Old Norse nā-, Gothic nehw, nehwa; near, next

Word History and Origins

Origin of nigh¹

Old English nēah, nēh; related to German nah, Old Frisian nei. Compare near , next

Example Sentences

It became clear that the end for One Direction was nigh.

From BBC

Both are superbly made; in terms of production and performance and smartly written scenes, they are nigh well unimpeachable.

From Los Angeles Times

The end is nigh, she knows, but it’s not here yet.

From Los Angeles Times

But that deadline has been described as "nigh on impossible" by groups working with victims.

From BBC

Sticking the landing is difficult enough — to create an ending that floors viewers, forcing us to rethink everything we’ve just seen, is nigh impossible.

From Los Angeles Times