What does "nearly" mean?
In close approximation; almost, virtually.
Nearly
/ˈnɪəlɪ/ adv
adv ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: In close approximation; almost, virtually.
- Grammar: nearly is listed as adv.
- Nearest alternatives: almost, virtually, about, about.
- Useful contrasts: much, certainly, completely.
- Usage evidence: When I ask people what they regret most about high school, they nearly all say the same thing: that they wasted so much time.
How to use "nearly"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "nearly" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "nearly" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "nearly" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "nearly" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "nearly" is acting as adv in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "almost" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "nearly", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Adverb
- 1 In close approximation; almost, virtually.
"He left a nearly full beer on the bar."
- 2 With great scrutiny; carefully. archaic
"And whosoever hath traced mee and nearely [translating de pres] looked into my humours, Ile loose a good wager if hee confesse not that there is no rule in their schoole, could, a midde such crooked pathes and divers windings, square and report this naturall motion, and maintaine an apparance of liberty and licence so equall and inflexible […]."
- 3 With close relation; intimately.
"Let that which he learns next be nearly conjoined with what he knows already."
- 4 Closely, in close proximity.
"I doubt some danger do's approach you neerely."
- 5 Stingily.
Adverb
- 1 (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but wordnet
- 2 in a close manner wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"When I ask people what they regret most about high school, they nearly all say the same thing: that they wasted so much time."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "nearly"?
Common synonyms include: almost, virtually, about, about, about math, all but.
How do you use "nearly" in a sentence?
When I ask people what they regret most about high school, they nearly all say the same thing: that they wasted so much time.
How do you pronounce "nearly"?
Pronounced /ˈnɪəlɪ/.
Etymology
From near + -ly. Cognate with Scots nerelie, neirlie (“nearly”). Compare also English nearling, nearlings.