near (adj.)

  1. 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

    [ Syn: close , nigh ]

    near (adv.)

  1. near in time or place or relationship; as the wedding day drew near; stood near the door; dont shoot until they come near; getting near to the true explanation; her mother is always near; The end draws nigh; the bullet didnt come close; dont get too close to the fire

    [ Syn: nigh , nigh , close , close , nigh , nigh , close , close , nigh , nigh , close , close , nigh , nigh , close , close ]

  2. (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; were 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

    [ Syn: about , about , almost , almost , most , most , nearly , nearly , nigh , nigh , virtually , virtually , well-nigh , well-nigh , about , about , almost , almost , most , most , nearly , nearly , nigh , nigh , virtually , virtually , well-nigh , well-nigh , about , about , almost , almost , most , most , nearly , nearly , nigh , nigh , virtually , virtually , well-nigh , well-nigh , about , about , almost , almost , most , most , nearly , nearly , nigh , nigh , virtually , virtually , well-nigh , well-nigh ]

    near (adj.)

  1. being on the left side; the near or nigh horse is the one on the left; the animals left side is its near or nigh side

    [ Syn: nigh ]

  2. closely resembling the genuine article; near beer; a dress of near satin'

  3. giving or spending with reluctance; our cheeseparing administration; very close (or near) with his money; a penny-pinching miserly old man

    [ Syn: cheeseparing , close , penny-pinching , skinny ]

  4. with or in a close or intimate relationship; a good friend; my sisters and brothers are near and dear

    [ Syn: dear , good ]

  5. very close in resemblance; sketched in an approximate likeness; a near likeness

    [ Syn: approximate ]

    near (v.)

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

    [ Syn: approach , come on , go up , draw near , draw close , come near ]

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.