near
15 ENTRIES FOUND:
nearer;
nearest
nearer;
nearest
Britannica Dictionary definition of NEAR
1
:
close to someone or something in distance
— often used figuratively
-
I hope that dog doesn't come any nearer (to me).
-
Be sure to have a fire extinguisher near at hand. [=close enough to reach easily]
-
We're getting nearer to the truth.
-
We came very near to canceling the trip. [=we almost canceled the trip]
-
Her new book is good, but it doesn't even come near to her first book. [=it is not nearly as good as her first book]
2
:
not far away in time
-
The end of the long winter is near. [=it will happen soon]
-
He became more nervous as the day of the wedding drew near. [=approached; got closer]
3
:
almost or nearly
—
see also nowhere near at 1nowhere
-
The plant was near dead when I got it.
-
a near perfect score
-
The job is (damn/damned/darn) near impossible.
as near as damn it
British, informal or as near as dammit
— used to say that something is so close to being correct or true that it can be regarded as correct or true
-
The hotel room will cost 300 pounds, as near as damn it.
-
She's the best player in the world or as near as dammit.
(as) near as I can tell/figure
US, informal
:
based on what I know
-
As near as I can tell, we'll arrive by six o'clock.
from far and near, from near and far
2
near
/ˈniɚ/
preposition
2
near
/ˈniɚ/
preposition
Britannica Dictionary definition of NEAR
:
close to (something or someone)
-
I left the box near the door.
-
The cat won't go near fire.
-
She stood near me.
-
There are several beaches near here.
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She came home near midnight.
-
We feared he was near death.
3
near
/ˈniɚ/
adjective
nearer;
nearest
3
near
/ˈniɚ/
adjective
nearer;
nearest
Britannica Dictionary definition of NEAR
1
:
located a short distance away
:
close
-
The nearest grocery store is three blocks away.
-
The airport is quite near. [=nearby]
2
:
not far away in time
-
Summer is getting nearer.
-
I hope to visit in the near future. [=I hope to visit soon]
4
always used before a noun
:
almost happening
—
see also near miss
-
The ceremony was a near disaster. [=was nearly a disaster]
-
After a near win [=after nearly winning] in the first competition, he is ready to try again.
-
(Brit) Our team won the match, but it was a very near thing. [=we almost lost the match]
5
always used before a noun
a
:
close to being something
-
Her victory is a near certainty. [=it is nearly certain that she will win]
-
a near miracle
-
celebrities and near celebrities [=people who are almost celebrities]
b
nearest
:
most similar
-
The lake was the nearest thing to an ocean [=the thing most like an ocean] that she had ever seen.
6
:
coming after someone or something
:
in the position or rank after someone or something
-
He finished the race ahead of his nearest rival by only a few feet.
7
always used before a noun
:
closely related
-
These two kinds of plants are near relatives.
-
Only near relations [=sisters, brothers, parents, etc.] were invited to the wedding.
near and dear
:
very close in relationship
-
friends who are near and dear
-
my nearest and dearest friend
too near for comfort
to the nearest
— used to indicate the number of pounds, dollars, etc., that is closest to a slightly higher or lower number or amount
-
What is the weight of your baggage to the nearest pound?
-
$13.75 rounded up to the nearest dollar is $14.
— nearness
noun [noncount]-
He missed her nearness. [=closeness]
-
the nearness of the storm
4
near
/ˈniɚ/
verb
nears;
neared;
nearing
4
near
/ˈniɚ/
verb
nears;
neared;
nearing
Britannica Dictionary definition of NEAR
:
to come closer in space or time to someone or something
:
approach
[no object]
-
As the date of the performance neared, we grew more and more anxious.
-
He always cheers up when baseball season nears.
[+ object]
-
The airplane began to descend as it neared the island.
-
He must be nearing 80 years of age.
-
The negotiators were nearing a decision.
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The project is nearing completion. [=is almost finished]
