neighbor

[ ney-ber ]

noun

1. a person who lives near another:

   My next door neighbor has an orange cat.

2. a person or thing that is near another.
3. one's fellow human being:

   You must be generous toward your less fortunate neighbors.

4. a person who shows kindliness or helpfulness toward others:

   She's always a neighbor to people in distress.

5. (used as a term of address, especially as a friendly greeting to a stranger):

   Tell me, neighbor, which way to town?

adjective

1. situated or living near another:

   One of our neighbor nations is in need of aid.

verb (used with object)

1. to live or be situated near to; adjoin; border on:

   Germany neighbors Denmark.

2. to place or bring near.

verb (used without object)

1. to live or be situated nearby.
2. to associate with or as if with one's neighbors; be neighborly or friendly (often followed by with ).

Other Words From

• neighbor·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of neighbor¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English neahgebūr, nēahbūr ( nēah nigh + (ge)būr “farmer”; Boer, boor ); akin to Dutch nabuur, German Nachbar, Old Norse nābūi

Example Sentences

Another neighbor drove her car directly through the Jensens property to escape the inferno, which had already blocked off the sole escape route.

From Los Angeles Times

We understand how difficult it is when you stop trusting your neighbor because of something from the outside designed to seed conflict.

From Los Angeles Times

“Heretic,” the psychological thriller from A24 starring Hugh Grant as a fiendishly charming neighbor who kidnaps two young missionaries, took in $11 million, placing third.

From Los Angeles Times

As Cressy drove up the street, Daryl Gross stopped to talk with her neighbor whom she didn’t quite know on a first-name basis.

From Los Angeles Times

She offered to put another neighbor in touch with the person who donated her clothes and added that she had to pick up her dog from the groomers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acquaintance
• friend