nearer; nearest
1
: close to someone or something in distance
I hope that dog doesn't come any nearer (to me).
Be sure to have a fire extinguisher near at hand. [=close enough to reach easily]
—often used figurativelyWe're getting nearer to the truth.
We came very near to canceling the trip. [=we almost canceled the trip]
Her new book is good, but it doesn't even come near to her first book. [=it is not nearly as good as her first book]
2
: not far away in time
The end of the long winter is near. [=it will happen soon]
He became more nervous as the day of the wedding drew near. [=approached; got closer]
3
: almost or nearly
The plant was near dead when I got it.
a near perfect score
The job is (damn/damned/darn) near impossible.
: close to (something or someone)
I left the box near the door.
The cat won't go near fire.
She stood near me.
There are several beaches near here.
She came home near midnight.
We feared he was near death.
nearer; nearest
1
: located a short distance away : close
The nearest grocery store is three blocks away.
The airport is quite near. [=nearby]
2
: not far away in time
Summer is getting nearer.
I hope to visit in the near future. [=I hope to visit soon]
3
always used before a noun
a
—used to refer to the side, end, etc., that is closer
There is a fishing camp on the far side of the lake, but nothing on the near side.
b
British, of a car
: left-hand
The near side headlight is out.
4
always used before a noun
: almost happening
The ceremony was a near disaster. [=was nearly a disaster]
After a near win [=after nearly winning] in the first competition, he is ready to try again.
(Brit) Our team won the match, but it was a very near thing. [=we almost lost the match]
5
always used before a noun
a
: close to being something
Her victory is a near certainty. [=it is nearly certain that she will win]
a near miracle
celebrities and near celebrities [=people who are almost celebrities]
b
: most similar
The lake was the nearest thing to an ocean [=the thing most like an ocean] that she had ever seen.
6
: coming after someone or something : in the position or rank after someone or something
He finished the race ahead of his nearest rival by only a few feet.
7
always used before a noun
: closely related
These two kinds of plants are near relatives.
Only near relations [=sisters, brothers, parents, etc.] were invited to the wedding.
nears; neared; nearing
: to come closer in space or time to someone or something : approach
As the date of the performance neared, we grew more and more anxious.
He always cheers up when baseball season nears.
The airplane began to descend as it neared the island.
He must be nearing 80 years of age.
The negotiators were nearing a decision.
The project is nearing completion. [=is almost finished]
Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/near. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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