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near

near

111 1.0
Almost happening or becoming true
  • adverb
  • /nɪr/
translation icon : casi
  • She is near her breaking point after months of hard work.
  • near perfect
  • near normal
  • near complete

It's you know, it's like damn near raining still in in Cali.

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Examples

  • The results of the experiment were near what we expected, but not quite.

  • Probably not anywhere near the time to do that yet.

  • Which is OK I guess, but it's not nearly as cool as this.

  • This pie is nowhere near as sweet as an apple pie.

  • And we were not anywhere near parenthood at that point.

  • They're not anywhere near as close to who they really are as your people are.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Oliver will be here in less than an hour, and I'm nowhere near finished yet.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • And if it's true, if it's anywhere near true, we're all in trouble.

  • Our educators don't get anywhere near the praise that they should.

  • The time for the spacecraft's maiden voyage draws near.

Synonyms

about
vsnear
1.0

Not exact but near a number, amount, or time

applies more to being only just accomplished or reached
almost
vsnear
1.0

Nearly but not completely

expresses the same proximity but in broader, more general use
close
vsnear
1.0

Near in space, time, or degree

is more narrowly about being only just achieved rather than physical proximity
nearly
vsnear
1.0

Almost but not completely

is a general state of being almost but not quite done
barely
vsnear
1.0

Happens only by a very small amount

usually means being just short of something rather than scarcely present
pretty much
vsnear
  • Informal
3.0

Almost completely but not quite

refers more narrowly to being only just short of completion
just about
vsnear
915 2.7

Almost right, but not exactly

stresses being only just achieved rather than approximate correctness
practically
vsnear
634 2.5

Almost but not completely

is a simple, neutral way to say not fully achieved
virtually
vsnear
578 3.6

Almost complete but not fully finished

is used more generally for closeness in result or degree
approximately
vsnear
524 3.2

Near the exact number or amount

is a general close relation in degree, not a numeric estimate
more or less
vsnear
301 2.1

About a number or idea, not exact but close enough

focuses on closeness to being achieved rather than approximation
144 3.8

Very close to doing or feeling something

is broader, covering general closeness not only imminent events
nigh
vsnear
  • Archaic
23 9.9

Very near in time, place, or degree

is the common modern word for the same lack of completion
20 3.9

Very close to achieving something important

covers general proximity in state or action, not just thresholds
well-nigh
vsnear
  • Archaic
1 8.4

Almost but not completely

is the neutral modern way to say not quite achieved
near as damn it
vsnear
  • NSFW
1 9.4

Almost exactly right

is the plain expression without coarse or emphatic tone
approx.
vsnear
3.1

People use it to say a number or time is close to but not exact

names the same closeness in general language rather than abbreviation
within an ace of
vsnear
  • UK
8.4

Very nearly achieving something

describes being only just short of success in general terms

Idioms

1 3.7

It happens in many places both near and far

1 9.4

Almost exactly right

Almost correct but missing some details

Compounds

An experience people have when they almost die, often seeing light or feeling peace

14 3.7

A time when a crash nearly happens but is avoided

7 4.3

A region around the eastern Mediterranean that includes parts of Southwest Asia and Egypt

near beer
  • Archaic
1 5.1

A drink that tastes like beer but has very little alcohol

near thing
  • Informal
1 6.6

A situation when something bad almost happens but does not

near gale
  • Specialized
7.7

A very strong wind that blows at about 60 to 70 kilometres per hour

near vision
  • Specialized
3.2

The ability to see things clearly close to your eyes

How Complete

completely
1.0
near
111 1.0
partly
375 1.0
slightly
885 1.0
not at all
331 1.0

Surface Forms

near positive
nearer comparative
nearest superlative

Etymology

The word near is related to the old word nigh, which meant 'almost' or 'very close', so when you say you are near collapse you mean you are 'almost' there or 'very close' to it. That is why near can mean 'almost' or 'only just'.