nigh

\ ˈnī

Definition of nigh

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : near in place, time, or relationship Morning was drawing nigh. —often used with on, onto, or untoserved … for nigh on forty years— M. S. Tisdale

2 : nearly, almost … once well nigh broke his neck, by a fall from one of its branches.— Washington Irving

nigh

adjective

Definition of nigh (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : close, near

2 chiefly dialectal : direct, short

3 : being on the left side the nigh horse

nigh

preposition

Definition of nigh (Entry 3 of 4)

: near

nigh

verb

nighed; nighing; nighs

Definition of nigh (Entry 4 of 4)

transitive verb

: to draw or come near to : approach

intransitive verb

: to draw near

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about nigh

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Examples of nigh in a Sentence

Adverb The snow is melting. Spring is nigh. It would be nigh impossible to fix it. Preposition a field nigh the church Verb as the hour of his death was nighing as the old man was nighing his hour of death

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb Even before Amoruso’s announcement, the end of the girlboss was nigh. — Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, "What Comes After the Girlboss?," 25 June 2020 Our increasingly armed society makes such a reciprocal relationship nigh impossible; the toxic vigilantism of gun culture not only infects relations between citizens and police, but relations among citizens themselves. — Firmin Debrabander, The New Republic, "America’s Cop Problem Is Also a Gun Problem," 24 June 2020 China’s recent moves in the South China Sea have fuelled concern that the time may be nigh. — The Economist, "Identify yourself China’s next move in the South China Sea," 18 June 2020 Their unlikely friendship, forged in the fires of a nigh-impossible task, is the heart and soul of the series. — Ars Staff, Ars Technica, "The Ars verdict is in: Space Force is the best new series of 2020 (so far)," 29 May 2020 Your choices are nigh-endless, and there’s never been a better time to start. — Matthew Gault, Time, "Video Games Are a Great Way to Pass the Time and Keep You Connected. Here's How to Get Started," 5 May 2020 When that puff of blue smoke eventually becomes a steady stream — like a contrail from an F16 — that’ll be your cue that the end is nigh for the Ion, Jesse. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "This Saturn with an “oil incident” might be up in smoke," 13 Oct. 2019 Delaware Dover: The deadline is nigh for anyone hankering to be the state’s chief justice. — USA TODAY, "Disney surprise, foreign feral hogs, porous pavement: News from around our 50 states," 13 Sep. 2019 When that puff of blue smoke eventually becomes a steady stream — like a contrail from an F16 —that’ll be your cue that the end is nigh for the Ion, Jesse. — courant.com, "Car Talk: Don’t spin out this summer," 1 Sep. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective In the 1990s, cops began encouraging the homeless to settle on this abandoned stretch of land, and others soon joined them to take advantage of the nigh-lawless space. — Wes Enzinna, Harper's magazine, "Gimme Shelter," 19 Nov. 2019 Well, well, well, Aries, looks like your time is nigh and Taurus season is upon us imminently. — Allure, "Bite Beauty's Astrology Lipstick for Leo Is an Attention-Grabbing Glittery Gold," 19 July 2018 While Vesuvius buried Pompeii in lava and ash 14 years later, the end wasn't exactly nigh for the entire planet. — National Geographic, "No, the World Will Not End on April 23," 13 Apr. 2018 While Vesuvius buried Pompeii in lava and ash 14 years later, the end wasn't exactly nigh for the entire planet. — National Geographic, "No, the World Will Not End on April 23," 13 Apr. 2018 While Vesuvius buried Pompeii in lava and ash 14 years later, the end wasn't exactly nigh for the entire planet. — National Geographic, "No, the World Will Not End on April 23," 13 Apr. 2018 While Vesuvius buried Pompeii in lava and ash 14 years later, the end wasn't exactly nigh for the entire planet. — National Geographic, "No, the World Will Not End on April 23," 13 Apr. 2018 While Vesuvius buried Pompeii in lava and ash 14 years later, the end wasn't exactly nigh for the entire planet. — National Geographic, "No, the World Will Not End on April 23," 13 Apr. 2018 While Vesuvius buried Pompeii in lava and ash 14 years later, the end wasn't exactly nigh for the entire planet. — National Geographic, "No, the World Will Not End on April 23," 13 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nigh.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.