What does near mean?
Near describes something close in distance, time, amount, or degree. As an adjective, it may refer to a nearby place, an imminent event, or something approaching a particular standard, as in near perfection. As an adverb, it can mean close by, as with “come nearer,” or almost, though nearly is usually the more precise choice for this latter meaning. The preposition near takes a noun or noun phrase after it: “near the station,” “near the end,” or “near a crisis.” Near also has a literary verb meaning “to approach,” as in a vessel nearing the shore. In modern English, the word is especially associated with immediacy and closeness, whether physical, temporal, or numerical. Its flexibility allows it to describe a place just around the corner, an event about to happen, or a result that is close to an exact value. Although the verb is relatively rare, near remains a basic and highly useful word in both speech and formal writing.
Close in distance, time, amount, or relation; not far away.
"The nearest hospital is about two miles from the village."
With nouns, near can suggest physical closeness, imminence, or approximation, depending on context.
At or to a short distance away; close by.
"The children played near while I worked on the garden."
Near can also mean almost in informal and literary contexts, although nearly is normally preferred in formal usage.
Close to in space, time, degree, or relation.
"The deadline is near the end of the month."
This use is common with both concrete locations and abstract ideas.
To approach or come close to something.
"The ship neared the harbor as the sun began to set."
The verb is now mainly literary and much less common than the adjective, adverb, and preposition.
Near began as a word for physical closeness, but it now reaches into time, probability, and even perfection: near-perfect, near enough, and nearly alike.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does near come from?
English inherited near from Old English, where forms of the word functioned as an adjective, adverb, and preposition. It continues a Proto-Germanic family represented in English by nigh and in related Germanic languages by words such as Dutch nabij and German nah. Neighbour and nether also reflect the same wider Germanic root, although their modern meanings have developed in different directions.
Related word forms
How near is actually used
Near is common in everyday speech and informal writing. In formal prose, nearly is often preferable when the intended meaning is almost, while near by itself most naturally suggests physical closeness or an approaching time. The verb near is uncommon and literary.
Easily confused with near
Ne'er is a poetic contraction of never, whereas near is an adjective, adverb, or preposition meaning close to.