First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1near
adverb \ˈnir\
: close to someone or something in distance
: not far away in time
: almost or nearly
Full Definition of NEAR
1
: at, within, or to a short distance or time <sunset was drawing near>
3
: in a close or intimate manner : closely <near related>
4
archaic : in a frugal manner
See near defined for English-language learners
See near defined for kids
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Examples of NEAR
- The plant was near dead when I got it.
- <as the campers grew cold, so they gravitated nearer to the campfire>
Origin of NEAR
Middle English ner, partly from ner nearer, from Old English nēar, comparative of nēah nigh; partly from Old Norse nær nearer, comparative of nā- nigh — more at nigh
Related to NEAR
Rhymes with NEAR
2near
preposition
: close to (something or someone)
Full Definition of NEAR
: close to <beaches near the city> <seemed to be near death>
See near defined for English-language learners
Examples of NEAR
- I left the box near the door.
- The cat won't go near fire.
- There are several beaches near here.
- She came home near midnight.
- We feared he was near death.
First Known Use of NEAR
13th century
3near
adjective
: located a short distance away
: not far away in time
—used to refer to the side, end, etc., that is closer
Full Definition of NEAR
1
a : 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>
3
a : being the closer of two <the near side> b : being the left-hand one of a pair <the near wheel of a cart>
5
6
a : closely resembling the standard or typical <a near desert> b : approximating the genuine <near silk>
— near·ness noun
See near defined for English-language learners
Examples of NEAR
- The nearest grocery store is three blocks away.
- The near side headlight is out.
First Known Use of NEAR
14th century
4near
verb
: to come closer in space or time to someone or something
Full Definition of NEAR
: approach
See near defined for English-language learners
Examples of NEAR
- 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.
First Known Use of NEAR
circa 1522
NEAR Defined for Kids
1near
adverb \ˈnir\
near·ernear·est
Definition of NEAR for Kids
1
: at, within, or to a short distance or time <Don't go any nearer.> <Night drew near.>
2near
preposition
Definition of NEAR for Kids
: close to <We'll take a table near the window.>
3near
adjective
near·ernear·est
Definition of NEAR for Kids
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>
— near·ness noun
4near
verb
nearednear·ing
Definition of NEAR for Kids
: to come near : approach <As they neared the burrow Willie … came galloping toward them … — Robert Lawson, Rabbit Hill>
Seen & Heard
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