near

[neer] /nɪər/
adverb, nearer, nearest.
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. close to the wind.
7.
Archaic. in a thrifty or stingy manner.
adjective, nearer, nearest.
8.
being close by; not distant:
the near fields.
9.
being the lesser in distance:
the near side.
10.
short or direct:
the near road.
11.
close in time:
the near future.
12.
closely related or connected:
our nearest relatives.
13.
close to an original:
a near translation.
14.
closely affecting one's interests or feelings:
a matter of near consequence to one.
15.
intimate or familiar:
a near friend.
16.
narrow or close:
a near escape.
17.
thrifty or stingy:
near with one's pocketbook.
18.
(of two draft animals hitched together) being on the driver's left (as opposed to off):
The near horse is going lame.
preposition
19.
at, to, or within a short distance, or no great distance, from or of:
regions near the equator.
20.
close to in time:
near the beginning of the year.
21.
close to a condition or state:
He is near death.
verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
22.
to come or draw near; approach:
The boat neared the dock. Storm clouds neared.
Idioms
23.
near at hand,
  1. in the immediate vicinity:
    There is a shopping area near at hand.
  2. in the near future; soon:
    The departure is near at hand.
Origin
before 900; Middle English nere, Old English nēar, comparative of nēah nigh
Related forms
nearness, noun
overnear, adjective, adverb
overnearness, noun
Synonyms
11. imminent, impending, approaching. 17. tight, miserly.
Antonyms
1, 2, 8–11, 18. far. 17. generous.
Examples from the web for near
  • Exceptional doctoral candidates near degree completion will receive consideration.
  • Yet even though things look bad now, a default probably does not loom in the near future.
  • Animals and plants seem to be prospering near the infamous nuclear reactor.
  • Bats re-tune echolocation and use the sun's glow to navigate near and far.
  • Cai sat near the atrium, amid stacks of books, quietly sketching with a pencil.
  • To reach a newly accessible cove, head down the staircase near the entrance.
  • Radiation from a mobile phone call can make brain regions near the device burn more energy, according to a new study.
  • Pollen began looking for genes, near these deletions, that could affect brain size.
  • Employment has barely grown and unemployment is near its peak, but profits are on a tear.
  • The scientists also observed marine life adapting to the harsh conditions near the eruptions.
British Dictionary definitions for near

near

/nɪə/
preposition
1.
at or to a place or time not far away from; close to
adverb
2.
at or to a place or time not far away; close by
3.
near to, not far from; near
4.
short for nearly I was damn near killed
adjective
5.
at or in a place not far away
6.
(postpositive) not far away in time; imminent: departure time was near
7.
(prenominal) only just successful or only just failing: a near escape
8.
(postpositive) (informal) miserly, mean
9.
(prenominal) closely connected or intimate: a near relation
verb
10.
to come or draw close (to)
noun
11.
Also called nearside
  1. the left side of a horse, team of animals, vehicle, etc
  2. (as modifier): the near foreleg
Derived Forms
nearness, noun
Word Origin
Old English nēar (adv), comparative of nēah close, nigh; related to Old Frisian niār, Old Norse nǣr, Old High German nāhōr
Word Origin and History for near
adv.

Old English near "closer, nearer," comparative of neah, neh"nigh." Influenced by Old Norse naer "near," it came to be used as a positive form mid-13c., and new comparative nearer developed 1500s (see nigh). As an adjective from c.1300. Originally an adverb but now supplanted in most such senses by nearly; it has in turn supplanted correct nigh as an adjective. Related: Nearness. In near and dear (1620s) it refers to nearness of kinship. Near East first attested 1891, in Kipling. Near beer "low-alcoholic brew" is from 1908.

v.

"to draw near," 1510s, from near (adv.). Related: Neared; nearing.

Idioms and Phrases with near

near

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