Near meaning

What does “near” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“near” is a verb, adjective and adverb with 9 meanings. Its most common meaning is: move towards.

near

move towards
“We were approaching our destination”
“They are drawing near”
Synonymsapproach come on go up draw near draw close come near

not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances
“near neighbors”
“in the near future”
Synonymsclose nigh
Oppositesfar
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”
Synonymsnigh
closely resembling the genuine article
“near beer”
“a dress of near satin”
giving or spending with reluctance
“our cheeseparing administration”
“very close (or near) with his money”
Synonymscheeseparing close penny-pinching skinny
with or in a close or intimate relationship
“a good friend”
“my sisters and brothers are near and dear”
Synonymsdear good
very close in resemblance
“sketched in an approximate likeness”
“a near likeness”
Synonymsapproximate

near in time or place or relationship
“as the wedding day drew near”
“stood near the door”
Synonymsnigh close
(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”
Synonymsabout almost most nearly nigh virtually well-nigh

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University