adj
Common
nearest
NEER-rihst
Nearest (adj) means Superlative of near: closest in distance, time, or relation. Example: “Which of these cafes is nearest to the train station?”
adj
1
Superlative of near: closest in distance, time, or relation.
"Which of these cafes is nearest to the train station?"
"What's the nearest supermarket?"
"Round the number to the nearest ten."
prep
1
Closest to a specified place or thing.
"The cat curled up nearest the fire to keep warm."
"Who is the person standing nearest the exit right now?"
"Sit nearest the door if you need to leave early."
How to use nearest
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe most close of all — the superlative of "near."
Common pairings
nearest exit
nearest station
to the nearest
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Which of these cafes is _____ to the train station?
Synonyms
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Rhymes for nearest
See all rhymes for nearest →Frequently asked questions
What does “nearest” mean?
The word “nearest” means superlative of near: closest in distance, time, or relation. In plain terms, the most close of all — the superlative of "near.".
How do you pronounce “nearest”?
“Nearest” is pronounced NEER-rihst (/ˈnɪɹɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “nearest” in a sentence?
Here is “nearest” used in a sentence: “What's the nearest supermarket?”
What part of speech is “nearest”?
Depending on how it is used, “nearest” can be an adjective and a preposition.
Is “nearest” a common word?
“Nearest” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “nearest” have?
“Nearest” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: superlative of near: closest in distance, time, or relation.
What is the difference between nearest and closest?
Nearest and closest are often interchangeable and both mean the least far away, as in 'the nearest shop' or 'the closest shop.' Closest is sometimes preferred for relationships or emotional bonds, while nearest leans slightly toward physical distance.
What is the difference between nearer and nearest?
Nearer is the comparative form, used to compare two things ('this one is nearer'), while nearest is the superlative, used for the closest of three or more ('the nearest of them all'). Use nearest when singling out the one closest option.
How do you use 'to the nearest'?
The phrase 'to the nearest' is used when rounding numbers, as in 'rounded to the nearest whole number' or 'to the nearest pound.' It means adjusting a figure to the closest listed value.
Does nearest take 'to' after it?
Nearest is often followed by 'to' when comparing position, as in 'the seat nearest to the door,' though the 'to' is frequently dropped in everyday speech ('nearest the door'). Both forms are correct.
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