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
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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