 |
| |||||||||
near1 S1 W1
1 only a short distance from a person or thing [↪ close, nearby]: 
They live near London.They moved house to be nearer the school.
short distance away
They live near London.They moved house to be nearer the school.2 soon before a particular time or event : I didn't remember to phone until near the end of the week.
short time before
I didn't remember to phone until near the end of the week. near to especially British English I'll give you a ring a bit nearer to Christmas.
I'll give you a ring a bit nearer to Christmas.3 almost doing something or almost in a particular state : The work is now near completion.
almost doing something
The work is now near completion. near to He was near to panic as he scrambled out of the building. She was near to crying. He seemed to know that he was near to death.
He was near to panic as he scrambled out of the building.She was near to crying.He seemed to know that he was near to death.4 almost at a particular amount or level : Inflation is now near 10%. He looked nearer fifty than forty.
amount or level
Inflation is now near 10%.He looked nearer fifty than forty. near to Unemployment is now near to its all-time low. Strawberries are near the top of the list.
Unemployment is now near to its all-time low.Strawberries are near the top of the list.5 if something is near something else, it is similar to it : It may not be an exact replica but it's pretty damn near.
similar
near to They say that love is very near to hate.
They say that love is very near to hate.It may not be an exact replica but it's pretty damn near.7 if an event is drawing near, it is nearly time for it to happen : The day of his interview was drawing near.
draw near
The day of his interview was drawing near.8 used to say that something is very nearly true or correct : The repairs will cost us £1000, as near as damn it.
(as) near as damn it
British English spokenThe repairs will cost us £1000, as near as damn it.9 used to say that something is nearly true or correct : It's eleven o'clock, near enough. All three car parks were full, near enough.
near enough
British EnglishIt's eleven o'clock, near enough.All three car parks were full, near enough.10 used before an adjective or adverb to say that something is definitely not true : That's nowhere near enough money! The job wasn't anywhere near finished.
nowhere near/not anywhere near
That's nowhere near enough money!The job wasn't anywhere near finished.11 if one person or thing does not come near another one, it is not at all as good as the other one : None of the other wordprocessing programs comes near this one.
not come near somebody/something
None of the other wordprocessing programs comes near this one.12 if someone will not go near a person or thing, they dislike or are frightened of them and will not speak to the person or use the thing : He refused to go near a doctor. He made up his mind never to go near a motorcycle again.
somebody will not go near somebody/something
He refused to go near a doctor.He made up his mind never to go near a motorcycle again.