nearby

adverb or adjective

near·​by nir-ˈbī 

ˈnir-ˌbī

: close at hand

Synonyms

• near
• close
• neighboring

Examples of nearby in a Sentence

grabbed the nearby quilt and gently laid it over the sleeping child

I'll be nearby if you need anything

Recent Examples on the Web

There, a tactical response team found a man lying dead with a weapon nearby, whom authorities believe was the shooter. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 1 July 2025

Law enforcement officials responded, locking down neighborhoods nearby and trying to find the shooter in hilly terrain that had plenty of cover, with thick brush and trees and smoke from the fire nearby. —Rebecca Boone, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025

The bodies' heads were discovered nearby in a plastic bag, authorities said, according to the Associated Press. —Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025

Meanwhile, two patrol officers on an unrelated call nearby had heard the gunfire and called for backup. —Danielle Bacher, People.com, 1 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nearby

• apply
• awry
• belie
• bely
• bigeye
• bonsai
• buckeye
• comply
• coxae
• decry
• defy
• deny

Kids Definition

nearby

adverb or adjective

near·​by ni(ə)r-ˈbī 

ˈni(ə)r-ˌbī

: close at hand