near
close; to a point or place not far away: Come near so I won't have to shout.
at, within, or to a short distance.
close in time: The New Year draws near.
close in relation; closely with respect to connection, similarity, intimacy, etc. (often used in combination): a near-standing position.
all but; almost; nearly: a period of near 30 years.
Nautical. close to the wind.
Archaic. in a thrifty or stingy manner.
being close by; not distant: the near fields.
being the lesser in distance: the near side.
short or direct: the near road.
close in time: the near future.
closely related or connected: our nearest relatives.
close to an original: a near translation.
closely affecting one's interests or feelings: a matter of near consequence to one.
intimate or familiar: a near friend.
narrow or close: a near escape.
thrifty or stingy: near with one's pocketbook.
(of two draft animals hitched together) being on the driver's left (as opposed to off): The near horse is going lame.
at, to, or within a short distance, or no great distance, from or of: regions near the equator.
close to in time: near the beginning of the year.
close to a condition or state: He is near death.
to come or draw near; approach: The boat neared the dock. Storm clouds neared.
Idioms about near
near at hand,
in the immediate vicinity: There is a shopping area near at hand.
in the near future; soon: The departure is near at hand.
Origin of near
1Other words for near
11 | imminent, impending, approaching |
17 | tight, miserly |
Opposites for near
1, 2, 8-11, 18 | far |
17 | generous |
Other words from near
- nearness, noun
- o·ver·near, adjective, adverb
- o·ver·near·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use near in a sentence
Certainly, she seems to command near-total devotion among her clients.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze | Lizzie Crocker | January 9, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTOccasionally a pamphlet for a salsa class might be tossed on a doorstop or stuck on a pole near a bus stop.
Iran’s Becoming a Footloose Nation as Dance Lessons Spread | IranWire | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTWhile the world fixated on Ukraine and Syria, a near-genocide ripped through central Africa, to little international fanfare.
A 2008 Pakistani raid near Turbat turned up Abdolhamid Rigi, the brother of Abdelmalek Rigi.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan | Umar Farooq | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAfter the defeat of ISIS in Sinjar, most other locals have been left wondering who might rule the city in the near future.
Has the Kurdish Victory at Sinjar Turned the Tide of ISIS War? | Niqash | December 27, 2014 | 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.
Gulliver's Travels | Jonathan SwiftThe 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.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinThere was a lathe near the spot where David Arden stood, and shavings and splinters under his feet.
Checkmate | Joseph Sheridan Le FanuMadame Ratignolle laid her hand over that of Mrs. Pontellier, which was near her.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinEdmund de la Pole, earl of Suffolk, on account of his near relationship to the house of York, beheaded.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel Munsell
British Dictionary definitions for near (1 of 2)
/ (nɪə) /
at or to a place or time not far away from; close to
at or to a place or time not far away; close by
near to not far from; near
short for nearly I was damn near killed
at or in a place not far away
(postpositive) not far away in time; imminent: departure time was near
(prenominal) only just successful or only just failing: a near escape
(postpositive) informal miserly, mean
(prenominal) closely connected or intimate: a near relation
to come or draw close (to)
Also called: nearside
the left side of a horse, team of animals, vehicle, etc
(as modifier): the near foreleg
Origin of near
1Derived forms of near
- nearness, noun
British Dictionary definitions for near- (2 of 2)
nearly; almost: a near-perfect landing
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with near
In addition to the idioms beginning with near
- near at hand
- near miss
- near thing
- near to one's heart
also see:
- far and near
- in the near future
- not anything like (anywhere near)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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