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
verbneared; nearing; nears
Definition of near (Entry 4 of 4)
: approach
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Time Traveler for near
The first known use of near was in the 13th century
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