Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Located a short distance away: Not far from something in space, time, or degree.
   • Closely related or intimate: Having a close personal relationship.
   • Almost achieved or occurring: Coming very close to happening or being true.
   • Stingy or reluctant to spend: Careful with money to the point of being miserly.
   • Close in resemblance: Very similar to something else, often an imitation.
   • Being on the left side: Specifically used for the left side of a vehicle or animal.

2. Adverb:

   • At or to a short distance: Not far away in position.
   • Almost, nearly: Slightly short of being complete or accomplished.
   • Closely in time: Soon to happen.

3. Preposition:

   • At or to a short distance from: Close to something in space or time.

4. Verb:

   • To approach or come close to: To move closer to something in space or time.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:

  • We are looking for a house near the school. (Indicating short distance)
  • She is a near friend of mine. (Indicating close relationship)
  • That was a near disaster! (Indicating something almost happened)
  • He is very near with his money. (Indicating stinginess)
  • This is a near copy of the original painting. (Indicating close resemblance)
  • Check the near side mirror before turning. (Indicating the left side)

• Adverb:

  • Please stand near so you can hear me. (Indicating short distance)
  • I have near finished my homework. (Meaning 'almost')
  • The exam date is drawing near. (Meaning 'soon')

• Preposition:

  • The library is near the post office.
  • It happened near the end of the movie.

• Verb:

  • As we neared the city, the traffic increased.
  • She is nearing completion of her novel.

Advanced Usage

• "a near thing": An event that almost happened or was narrowly avoided.

  • Winning the match was a near thing; the score was almost tied.

• "near and dear": Very important and loved.

  • He holds his family near and dear to his heart.

• "nowhere near": Not at all close to; far from.

  • The project is nowhere near finished.

• "so near and yet so far": Used when a goal is almost achieved but ultimately not reached.

  • He finished second in the race; it was a case of so near and yet so far.

Variants and Related Words

• Nearly (adverb): Almost.

  • I nearly missed the bus.

• Nearness (noun): The state of being near.

  • The nearness of the supermarket is very convenient.

• Nearby (adjective/adverb): Not far away.

  • She lives in a nearby town. / He works nearby.

Synonyms

• Close: At a short distance away.
• Approximate: Almost exact or accurate.
• Adjacent: Next to or adjoining something else.
• Imminent: About to happen (for time).

Phrasal Verbs / Related Constructions

• Come near (to) / Draw near: To approach.

  • The deadline is drawing near.
  • His performance came near to perfection.

• Get near (to): To manage to approach or understand.

  • No other theory gets near to explaining the phenomenon.

Idioms

• Near the knuckle: Bordering on being indecent or offensive.

  • Some of his jokes were a bit near the knuckle.

• Near to one's heart: Very important or dear to someone.

  • Charity work is something near to her heart.

Adjective

1. very close in resemblance
   • sketched in an approximate likeness
   • a near likeness
2. with or in a close or intimate relationship
   • a good friend
   • my sisters and brothers are near and dear
3. giving or spending with reluctance
   • our cheeseparing administration
   • very close (or near) with his money
   • a penny-pinching miserly old man
4. closely resembling the genuine article
   • near beer
   • a dress of near satin
5. being on the left side
   • the near or nigh horse is the one on the left
   • the animal's left side is its near or nigh side
6. not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances
   • near neighbors
   • in the near future
   • they are near equals
   • his nearest approach to success
   • a very near thing
   • a near hit by the bomb
   • she was near tears
   • she was close to tears
   • had a close call

Adverb

1. (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
2. near in time or place or relationship
   • as the wedding day drew near
   • stood near the door
   • don't shoot until they come near
   • getting near to the true explanation
   • her mother is always near
   • The end draws nigh
   • the bullet didn't come close
   • don't get too close to the fire

Verb

1. move towards
   • We were approaching our destination
   • They are drawing near
   • The enemy army came nearer and nearer