nearby

adverb or adjective

near·​by nir-ˈbī 

ˈnir-ˌbī

: close at hand

Synonyms of nearby

• 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

When security turns them away at the gate, some fans are stashing their bags nearby — apparently planning to grab them later — and that’s creating a real headache for law enforcement, according to The Star. — The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2026

Keith Miller of Coventry lives nearby and walks by the lake every day and started talking to Pam one day on one of his walks. — Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026

Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and tent pad, with vault toilets and water spigots nearby. — Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 21 June 2026

By Sunday afternoon, the park was peaceful, with some residents setting up a Father's Day lunch while men nearby were playing cards. — Kristie Keleshian, CBS News, 21 June 2026

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