nearby
Nearby (adj) means Close by; not far away. Example: “We ate at a nearby restaurant.”
How to use nearby
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishClose to where you are or where something is happening.
Written as one word ("nearby"), unlike the phrase "near by" in older texts.
Word forms
more nearby comparative, more nearby comparative, nearbys plural, most nearby superlative, most nearby superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We ate at a _____ restaurant.
Etymology
From Middle English ner-bi, formed from near + by.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for nearby
See all rhymes for nearby →Frequently asked questions
What does “nearby” mean?
The word “nearby” means close by; not far away. In plain terms, close to where you are or where something is happening.
How do you pronounce “nearby”?
“Nearby” is pronounced neer-BEYE (/ˌnɪə(ɹ)ˈbaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “nearby” in a sentence?
Here is “nearby” used in a sentence: “We ate at a nearby restaurant.”
What part of speech is “nearby”?
Depending on how it is used, “nearby” can be an adjective and an adverb.
Where does the word “nearby” come from?
The word “nearby” comes from Middle English. From Middle English ner-bi, formed from near + by.
Is “nearby” a common word?
“Nearby” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “nearby” have?
“Nearby” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: close by; not far away.
What is the opposite of nearby?
The opposite of nearby is distant or far away. Words like remote, faraway, and far-off also work, describing something a long way off rather than close at hand. Where nearby means only a short distance away, its opposites stress the gap in distance between one place and another.
Is nearby an adjective or an adverb?
It can be both. As an adjective it describes something close, as in 'a nearby shop.' As an adverb it tells you where something is, as in 'they live nearby.' The meaning stays the same, close by and not far away, but its role in the sentence changes.
What is an example of nearby?
You might say 'we stopped at a nearby cafe' or 'is there a station nearby?' In both, nearby points to something within easy reach. It often describes shops, streets, towns, or people close to where you are, suggesting you could get there quickly and without travelling far.
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