adverb, near·er, near·est.
- close; to a point or place not far away: Come near so I won’t have to shout.
- at, within, or to a short distance.
- close in time: The New Year draws near.
- close in relation; closely with respect to connection, similarity, intimacy, etc. (often used in combination): a near-standing position.
- all but; almost; nearly: a period of near 30 years.
- Nautical. close to the wind.
- Archaic. in a thrifty or stingy manner.
adjective, near·er, near·est.
- being close by; not distant: the near fields.
- being the lesser in distance: the near side.
- short or direct: the near road.
- close in time: the near future.
- closely related or connected: our nearest relatives.
- close to an original: a near translation.
- closely affecting one’s interests or feelings: a matter of near consequence to one.
- intimate or familiar: a near friend.
- narrow or close: a near escape.
- thrifty or stingy: near with one’s pocketbook.
- (of two draft animals hitched together) being on the driver’s left (as opposed to off): The near horse is going lame.
- at, to, or within a short distance, or no great distance, from or of: regions near the equator.
- close to in time: near the beginning of the year.
- close to a condition or state: He is near death.
verb (used with or without object)
- to come or draw near; approach: The boat neared the dock. Storm clouds neared.
- near at hand,
- in the immediate vicinity: There is a shopping area near at hand.
- in the near future; soon: The departure is near at hand.
- at or to a place or time not far away from; close to
- at or to a place or time not far away; close by
- near to not far from; near
- short for nearly I was damn near killed
- at or in a place not far away
- (postpositive) not far away in time; imminentdeparture time was near
- (prenominal) only just successful or only just failinga near escape
- (postpositive) informal miserly, mean
- (prenominal) closely connected or intimatea near relation
- to come or draw close (to)
- Also called: nearside
- the left side of a horse, team of animals, vehicle, etc
- (as modifier)the near foreleg
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. In addition to the idioms beginning with near