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⇱ near - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

near

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UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈnɪər/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/nɪr/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(nēr)

Inflections of 'near' (adj):
nearer
adj comparative
nearest
adj superlative
Inflections of 'near' (adv):
nearer
adv comparative
nearest
adv superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
near /nɪr/USA pronunciation   adv. and adj., -er, -est, prep., v. 
adv. 
    1. close in space or time:Come nearer. The wedding day was drawing near.
    2. closely with respect to connection or similarity:a near-fatal accident.
    3. almost;
      nearly:He was near dead from cold.

    adj. 
    1. being close by in space or time:the near fields; the near future.
    2. being the lesser in distance:the near side of the moon.
    3. closely related or connected, as in a family:[before a noun]near relatives.
    4. (used to describe something that is almost the same as something else, the difference between them being narrow or close):[before a noun]That was a near miss; the bullets flew just inches over our heads.

    prep. [(~ + to)]
    1. at, to, or within a short distance from:regions near (to) the equator.
    2. close to in time:Let's meet again near the beginning of the year.
    3. close to a condition, state, action, or amount;
      close in relationship:She came near to hitting him.

    v. 
    1. to come or draw near;
      approach: [~ + object]The boat neared the dock.[no object]Storm clouds neared.
    Idioms
    1. Idioms near at hand:
      • Idiomsclose in space;
        in the immediate area.
      • Idiomssoon;
        in the near future:The end was near at hand.
    2. nowhere near, not nearly:The car is nowhere near big enough for all of us.

near•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
near  (nēr),USA pronunciation adv., -er, -est, adj., -er, -est, prep., v. 
adv. 
  1. close;
    to a point or place not far away:Come near so I won't have to shout.
  2. at, within, or to a short distance.
  3. close in time:The New Year draws near.
  4. close in relation;
    closely with respect to connection, similarity, intimacy, etc. (often used in combination):a near-standing position.
  5. all but;
    almost;
    nearly:a period of near 30 years.
  6. Nautical, Naval Termsclose to the wind.
  7. [Archaic.]in a thrifty or stingy manner.

adj. 
  1. being close by;
    not distant:the near fields.
  2. being the lesser in distance:the near side.
  3. short or direct:the near road.
  4. close in time:the near future.
  5. closely related or connected:our nearest relatives.
  6. close to an original:a near translation.
  7. closely affecting one's interests or feelings:a matter of near consequence to one.
  8. intimate or familiar:a near friend.
  9. narrow or close:a near escape.
  10. thrifty or stingy:near with one's pocketbook.
  11. (of two draft animals hitched together) being on the driver's left (as opposed to off):The near horse is going lame.
  12. near at hand:
    • Idiomsin the immediate vicinity:There is a shopping area near at hand.
    • Idiomsin the near future;
      soon:The departure is near at hand.

prep. 
  1. at, to, or within a short distance, or no great distance, from or of:regions near the equator.
  2. close to in time:near the beginning of the year.
  3. close to a condition or state:He is near death.

v.t., v.i. 
  1. to come or draw near;
    approach:The boat neared the dock. Storm clouds neared.
  • Middle English nere, Old English nēar, comparative of nēah nigh bef. 900
near′ness, n. 
    11. imminent, impending, approaching. 17. tight, miserly.
    1. 2. 8. –11, 18.far. 17. generous.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
near /nɪə/ prep
  1. at or to a place or time not far away from; close to
 adv
  1. at or to a place or time not far away; close by
  2. short for nearly: I was damn near killed
 adj
  1. at or in a place not far away
  2. (postpositive) not far away in time; imminent: departure time was near
  3. (prenominal) only just successful or only just failing: a near escape
  4. (postpositive) informal miserly, mean
  5. (prenominal) closely connected or intimate: a near relation
 vb
  1. to come or draw close (to)
 n
  1. Also called: nearside
    • the left side of a horse, team of animals, vehicle, etc
    • (as modifier): the near foreleg
Etymology: Old English nēar (adv), comparative of nēah close, nigh; related to Old Frisian niār, Old Norse nǣr, Old High German nāhōrˈnearness n
'near' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Collocations: nearing [your destination, the store, the school], in the near future, is near and dear to me, more...

🗣️Forum discussions with the word(s) "near" in the title:

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