nearly
NEER-lee
Nearly (adv) means Almost; very close to a particular amount, state, or outcome. Example: “I nearly dropped the tray when the door swung open.”
adv
1
Almost; very close to a particular amount, state, or outcome.
"I nearly dropped the tray when the door swung open."
"It's nearly midnight."
"She nearly missed her flight."
How to use nearly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot quite there yet, but very close to it.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "near" used as an adverb of place ("the store is near") — "nearly" describes degree or extent, not physical closeness.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
nearly finished
nearly there
nearly every time
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Word forms
- Comparative
- nearlier, more nearly
- Superlative
- nearliest, most nearly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I _____ dropped the tray when the door swung open.
Etymology
From near + the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Synonyms
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just about
all but
more or less
approximately
almost
nigh
well-nigh
near
next to
close to
practically
virtually
Related words
Rhymes for nearly
See all rhymes for nearly →Frequently asked questions
What does “nearly” mean?
The word “nearly” means almost; very close to a particular amount, state, or outcome. In plain terms, not quite there yet, but very close to it.
How do you pronounce “nearly”?
“Nearly” is pronounced NEER-lee (/ˈnɪɹli/ in IPA).
How do you use “nearly” in a sentence?
Here is “nearly” used in a sentence: “She nearly missed her flight.”
What is another word for “nearly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “nearly” include almost, nigh, well-nigh, near, next to and close to.
What part of speech is “nearly”?
“Nearly” is an adverb.
Is “nearly” a common word?
“Nearly” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between nearly and almost?
Nearly and almost are close synonyms and usually interchangeable — both mean not quite reaching a point. Almost tends to sound slightly more natural before certain words and can suggest a smaller remaining gap, while nearly often emphasises how close something came. In most everyday sentences, either word works without changing the meaning.
What is the difference between nearly and barely?
Nearly means falling just short of something, while barely means only just reaching it. If you nearly finished, you did not finish; if you barely finished, you did finish, but only just. They sit on opposite sides of the line, which is why swapping them reverses the meaning of a sentence.
What is an example of nearly in a sentence?
You might say, 'It's nearly midnight,' meaning the time is very close to but not yet twelve. Other examples include 'She nearly won the race' or 'I've nearly finished.' In each case, nearly signals that something came close to happening or reaching a level without fully getting there.
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