near
(adverb, adjective)
LISTEN
That was a near miss!
If something or someone is near you, it means that it’s close to you in space.
- He always sits near you in class.
- I like to sit near the door in case the speaker is boring.
If something is near, it can also mean that it’s close in time.
- I will go to San Francisco in the near future.
If something or someone is near, it can be closely related.
- My uncle is my near relative.
Common uses
When two objects come very close but do not hit each other, it is called a near miss. Example: “The bullet passed two inches above her head. It was a near miss.”
Related words
Nearly is another way of saying that you were close to doing something but finally didn’t. For example, “I nearly forgot my meeting today; luckily my friend reminded me about it!”
In pop culture
Listen to this Nat King Cole classic, “Near You.” Why do you think this song has this title?
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