near

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

1a :  not far distant in time, place, or degree in the near futureb :  almost happening :  narrowly missed or avoided a near win in the primary a near midair collisionc :  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 sideb :  being the left-hand one of a pair the near wheel of a cart

4 :  direct, short the nearest road

5 :  stingy, closefisted

6a :  closely resembling the standard or typical a near desertb :  approximating the genuine near silk

:  approach

1 :  at, within, or to a short distance or time Don't go any nearer. Night drew near.

2 :  almost, nearly The weather was near perfect.

:  close to We'll take a table near the window.

1 :  closely related or associated a near relative

2 :  not far away in distance or time the nearest exit the near future

3 :  coming close :  narrow a near miss

4 :  being the closer of two the near side

:  to come near :  approach As they neared the burrow Willie … came galloping toward them … — Robert Lawson, Rabbit Hill