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 nearest

According to Kostick, while awaiting a van to transport Stewart to the nearest police station, his mood changed.

Before Eric Garner, There Was Michael Stewart: The Tragic Story of the Real-Life Radio Raheem |Marlow Stern |December 4, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
But all of them add up to a coiled-up rage, ready to lash out at the nearest target.

Of Gamers, Gates, and Disco Demolition: The Roots of Reactionary Rage |Arthur Chu |October 16, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
So we all walked down to the nearest pet store and Joan got her new dog Sammy.

The Directors of Joan Rivers Documentary 'A Piece of Work' Remember Its Star |Kevin Fallon |September 8, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
A vast database of doctors points you to the nearest licenser in your area.

The Stoner's Guide to the Internet |Abby Haglage |August 6, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

The nearest ATF office is 32 miles away, in downtown Columbus.

A Report From the Misunderstood Gathering of the Juggalos |Steve Miller |July 28, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
And what call you the distance to the nearest settlement on the Connecticut?

The Wept of Wish-Ton-Wish |James Fenimore Cooper
Is it not from our nearest relative that our dearest secret is usually withheld?

Barlasch of the Guard |H. S. Merriman
In the afternoon I walked round the point, and visited the houses of the people who are our nearest neighbours.

Journal of a Residence on a Georgian Plantation |Frances Anne Kemble
"Oh, not yet," says Lady Lilias, with the nearest attempt at youthfulness she has yet made.

Mrs. Geoffrey |Duchess
The lady had sprung to her feet, and had broken through the nearest bushes into the thicket beyond.

Star of Mercia |Blanche Devereux

British Dictionary definitions for nearest

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 nearest

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 nearest

British Dictionary definitions for nearest

preposition

adverb

adjective

verb

noun

Derived forms of near

Word Origin for near

Idioms and Phrases with nearest

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 nearest

Example sentences from the Web for nearest

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

preposition

adverb

adjective

verb

noun

Derived forms of near

Word Origin for near

Idioms and Phrases with nearest

British Dictionary definitions for nearest