near

¹near

adverb \ˈnir\

Definition of NEAR

1

: at, within, or to a short distance or time <sunset was drawing near>

2

: almost, nearly <was near dead>

3

: in a close or intimate manner : closely <near related>

4

archaic : in a frugal manner

Examples of NEAR

1. The plant was near dead when I got it.
2. <as the campers grew cold, so they gravitated nearer to the campfire>

Origin of NEAR

Middle English ner, partly from ner nearer, from Old English nēar, comparative of nēah nigh; partly from Old Norse nær nearer, comparative of nā- nigh — more at nigh

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to NEAR

Synonyms

around, by, close, hard, in, nearby, nigh, at close quarters, at hand, on one's doorstep, within call

Antonyms

exactly, precisely

Related Words

hereabouts (or hereabout), hereaway (or hereaways) [dialect], thereabouts (also thereabout); along, alongside; accessibly, conveniently, handily

Near Antonyms

distantly, remotely

Rhymes with NEAR

beer, bier, blear, cere, cheer, clear, dear, deer, Deere, drear, ear, fear, fere, fleer, gear, hear, here, jeer, leer, mere, mir, peer, pier, Pierre, queer, rear, schmear, sear, seer, sere, shear, sheer, skirr, smear, sneer, spear, speer, sphere, steer, tear, tier, Trier, Tyr, veer, weir, year

²near

preposition

Definition of NEAR

: close to <beaches near the city> <seemed to be near death>

Examples of NEAR

1. I left the box near the door.
2. The cat won't go near fire.
3. There are several beaches near here.
4. She came home near midnight.
5. We feared he was near death.

First Known Use of NEAR

13th century

Related to NEAR

Synonyms

about, by, around, next to, nigh

Related Words

alongside, beside; across, along, at; circa; toward (or towards)

³near

adjective

Definition of NEAR

1

a : not far distant in time, place, or degree <in the near future>

b : almost happening : narrowly missed or avoided <a near win in the primary> <a near midair collision>

c : nearly not happening <a near escape>

2

: closely related or intimately associated <her nearest and dearest friend>

3

a : being the closer of two <the near side>

b : being the left-hand one of a pair <the near wheel of a cart>

4

: direct, short <the nearest road>

5

: stingy, closefisted

6

a : closely resembling the standard or typical <a near desert>

b : approximating the genuine <near silk>

— near·ness noun

Examples of NEAR

1. The nearest grocery store is three blocks away.
2. The near side headlight is out.

First Known Use of NEAR

14th century

Related to NEAR

Synonyms

closer, hither, nigher, this

Antonyms

far, farther, further, opposite, other, that

Related Words

fore, forward, front, inside

Near Antonyms

distant, remote, remoter; back, outside

⁴near

verb

Definition of NEAR

: approach

Examples of NEAR

1. As the date of the performance neared, we grew more and more anxious.
2. He always cheers up when baseball season nears.
3. The airplane began to descend as it neared the island.
4. He must be nearing 80 years of age.
5. The negotiators were nearing a decision.

First Known Use of NEAR

1513

Related to NEAR

Synonyms

belly up, close, close in, come up, draw on, approach, nigh

Antonyms

back (up or away), recede, retire, retreat, withdraw

Related Words

arrive, attain, come, gain, hit, land, make, reach, show up, turn up, waltz up; creep up, sneak up; adjoin, border, touch, verge

Near Antonyms

clear out, depart, exit, go, leave, light out, pull out, quit, remove, run away, shove (off), take off, walk out