Definition of near
(Entry 1 of 4)
near
prepositionDefinition of near (Entry 2 of 4)
: close to
beaches near the city seemed to be near death
near
adjectiveDefinition of near (Entry 3 of 4)
1a
: 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
3a
: being the closer of two
the near side
b
: being the left-hand one of a pair
the near wheel of a cart
5
: stingy, closefisted
6a
: closely resembling the standard or typical
a near desert
b
: approximating the genuine
near silk
near
verb
neared; nearing; nears
Definition of near (Entry 4 of 4)
: approach
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for near
The first known use of near was in the 13th century
See more words from the same century