1
: at, within, or to a short distance or time
sunset was drawing near
3
: in a close or intimate manner : closely
near related
4
archaic
: in a frugal manner
see also:
: close to
beaches near the city
seemed to be near death
1
a
: not far distant in time, place, or degree
in the near future
b
: almost happening : narrowly missed or avoided
a near win in the primary
a near midair collision
c
: nearly not happening
a near escape
2
: closely related or intimately associated
her nearest and dearest friend
3
a
: being the closer of two
the near side
b
: being the left-hand one of a pair
the near wheel of a cart
5
6
a
: closely resembling the standard or typical
a near desert
b
: approximating the genuine
near silk
nearness
noun
near·ness
plural -es
: the quality or state of being near: such as
a
: close relationship or resemblance
confused by the nearness of their names
b
: intimacy
lost the nearness of the first months of their marriage
c
: proximity in space or time
shyly aware of her nearness to the cowboy—Zane Grey
d
Cite this Entry
“Near.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/near. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.
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