near

[ neer ]

/ nɪər /

adverb, near·er, near·est.

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.

adjective, near·er, near·est.

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.

preposition

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.

verb (used with or without object)

to come or draw near; approach: The boat neared the dock. Storm clouds neared.

Idioms for 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

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

SYNONYMS FOR near

11 imminent, impending, approaching.

17 tight, miserly.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR near ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR near

1, 2, 8–11, 18 far.

17 generous.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR near ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM near

near·ness, noun o·ver·near, adjective, adverb o·ver·near·ness, noun

Words nearby near

neap tide, neaped, neapolitan, neapolitan ice cream, neapolitan sixth, near, near at hand, near beer, near east, near field communication, near gale

Example sentences from the Web for nearness

His sudden sense of her nearness and beauty belied the careless words.

Harriet and the Piper |Kathleen Norris
It is as though two earthly lovers, in full sight and nearness, are filled each for each with great love, and are content.

The Golden Fountain |Lilian Staveley
Yet as the days passed, he became more interested in her, influenced by her nearness to him, and still more by her remoteness.

The Mountain Girl |Payne Erskine
I simply felt it in a kind of nearness—as if I couldn't get away from you.

Sanctuary |Edith Wharton

Father Lustucru, animated by the nearness of his vengeance, did not remark what passed in the mind of his companion.

The Story of a Cat |mile Gigault de La Bdollire

British Dictionary definitions for nearness

near

/ (nɪə) /

preposition

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

adverb

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

adjective

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

verb

to come or draw close (to)

noun

Also called: nearside

the left side of a horse, team of animals, vehicle, etc
(as modifier)the near foreleg

Derived forms of near

nearness, noun

Word Origin for near

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

Idioms and Phrases with nearness

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)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

near

adverb, near·er, near·est.

adjective, near·er, near·est.

preposition

verb (used with or without object)

Idioms for near

Origin of near

SYNONYMS FOR near

ANTONYMS FOR near

OTHER WORDS FROM near

Words nearby near

Example sentences from the Web for nearness

British Dictionary definitions for nearness

preposition

adverb

adjective

verb

noun

Derived forms of near

Word Origin for near

Idioms and Phrases with nearness

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

near

adverb, near·er, near·est.

adjective, near·er, near·est.

preposition

verb (used with or without object)

Idioms for near

Origin of near

SYNONYMS FOR near

ANTONYMS FOR near

OTHER WORDS FROM near

Words nearby near

Words related to nearness

Example sentences from the Web for nearness

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for nearness

preposition

adverb

adjective

verb

noun

Derived forms of near

Word Origin for near

Idioms and Phrases with nearness

British Dictionary definitions for nearness