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DictionarynearCloseness
preposition / adjective / adverb / verb

near

NEER/nˈɪr/

Close to or approaching someone or something.

The child sits near the mother on the bench.

A mother and child sitting close together on a bench, Black family, very small physical distance.
Etymology
nearOld Englishcloser, nearer

Old English near meant 'closer,' the comparative of the word now spelled nigh. It gradually became an ordinary word for closeness rather than a comparison, allowing the new comparative nearer.

In context

ZoneA2:25
Altostratus are grey and/or blue clouds that cover the whole sky. They tend to indicate a storm some time in the very near future since they usually precede inclimate weather.
How To Predict The Weather By Looking At The Clouds

More examples

  • We are nearing the end of the trail.
  • Her house is nearer than mine.
  • The nearest hospital is across the river.

Forms

near · nears · neared · nearing · nearer · nearest

Similar words

close
A common alternative, usually followed by to.
adjacent
Usually directly beside rather than merely close.