adj Uncommon

nearer

NEER-ruh

Nearer (adj) means Comparative of near: less distant; closer. Example: “Choose whichever hospital is nearer.”

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adj

Comparative of near: less distant; closer.

"Choose whichever hospital is nearer."

"The finish line looked nearer than it actually was."

prep

Closer to a particular place, time, or state.

"We moved nearer the front of the queue."

How to use nearer

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe comparative form of "near" — more close than something else.

Common pairings

nearer to get nearer nearer the truth

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Choose whichever hospital is _____.

Rhymes for nearer

parer carer bearer wearer clearer

See all rhymes for nearer →

Frequently asked questions

What does “nearer” mean?

The word “nearer” means comparative of near: less distant; closer. In plain terms, the comparative form of "near" — more close than something else.

How do you pronounce “nearer”?

“Nearer” is pronounced NEER-ruh (/ˈnɪɹɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “nearer” in a sentence?

Here is “nearer” used in a sentence: “Choose whichever hospital is nearer.”

What part of speech is “nearer”?

Depending on how it is used, “nearer” can be an adjective and a preposition.

Is “nearer” a common word?

“Nearer” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “nearer” have?

“Nearer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: comparative of near: less distant; closer.

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