almost
/'ɔ:lmoust/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adverb:
- Nearly, very close to but not completely: Used to indicate that something is very close to being true or happening, but not entirely or exactly so.
- All but, for the most part: Used to describe a state or action that is so close to completion that the difference is negligible.
Examples of Usage
- Adverb:
- The job is almost done. (The job is very close to being finished.)
- The baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded. (The baby was very nearly in a state of sleep.)
- We're almost finished with the project. (We are very close to completing the project.)
- He almost fainted from the heat. (He came very close to losing consciousness.)
Advanced Usage
- "Almost all": Very nearly every one; the vast majority.
- Almost all students passed the exam. (The great majority of students, but not necessarily every single one, passed.)
- "Almost never": Very rarely; hardly ever.
- He is almost never late. (It is extremely uncommon for him to be late.)
- "Almost certainly": With a very high degree of probability.
- She will almost certainly win the competition. (It is very, very likely she will win.)
Variants and Related Words
- Nearly (adv): Very close to; almost. Often used interchangeably with 'almost'.
- It's nearly midnight.
- Virtually (adv): For the most part; almost entirely.
- The project is virtually complete.
- Practically (adv): In effect; almost.
- He's practically a member of the family.
- Well-nigh (adv, formal/literary): Almost.
- The task was well-nigh impossible.
Synonyms
- Nearly
- Just about
- All but
- Virtually
- Practically
Related Phrases
- Close to: Similar in meaning to 'almost', indicating proximity to a state or condition.
- She was close to tears.
- On the verge of: Very close to experiencing or doing something.
- He was on the verge of giving up.
Idioms and Common Expressions
- Almost there: Very close to achieving a goal or reaching a destination.
- Keep going, you're almost there!
- It's almost as if...: Used to suggest a strong similarity, though not a literal truth.
- It's almost as if he knew what was going to happen.
Adverb
- (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
- the job is (just) about done
- the baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded
- we're almost finished
- the car all but ran her down
- he nearly fainted
- talked for nigh onto 2 hours
- the recording is well-nigh perfect
- virtually all the parties signed the contract
- I was near exhausted by the run
- most everyone agrees