near

adverb, preposition

/nɪər/

/nɪr/

Definition

A1 not far away in distance: Is there a train station near here? I'd like to sit near a window, please. Don't come too near me - you might catch my cold. The hotel is near the airport. Which bus stop is nearest (to) your house? I was standing just near enough to hear what they were saying.Closeness in distance and timeAbout to happen B2 not far away in time: As the date of his operation drew near, he became more and more anxious. Her birthday was getting nearer and I still hadn't bought her a present.UK We can decide which route to take nearer the time.Closeness in distance and timeAbout to happen C2 almost in a particular state, or condition: The runners looked near exhaustion. I was near (to) tears (= almost cried) at one point during the film.AlmostMerely and barely nowhere near C1 not close in distance, time, amount, or quality: The house was nowhere near the sea. It's nowhere near time for us to leave yet. I'm nowhere near finishing the book - I'm only half-way through it. He's nowhere near as tall as his sister.Distant in space and time near enough informal › almost: They're the same age or near enough.Closeness in distance and timeAbout to happenAlmostMerely and barely

(Definition of near adverbpreposition from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)