nigh
neye
Nigh (adverb) means Close in time or space; almost — an old-fashioned or literary word for "near.". Example: “Winter was drawing nigh.”
adverb
1
Close in time or space; almost — an old-fashioned or literary word for "near."
"Winter was drawing nigh."
"The end is nigh, the preacher warned."
How to use nigh
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned way of saying "near" or "almost."
When to use it
Archaic or literary — rarely used in ordinary modern speech except in fixed phrases like "the end is nigh."
Common pairings
drawing nigh
the end is nigh
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- nighs
- Past tense
- nighed
- Comparative
- nigher, more nigh
- Superlative
- nighest, most nigh
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Winter was drawing _____.
Etymology
From Old English nēah, meaning "near" — an older form of the modern word "near."
Related words
Rhymes for nigh
See all rhymes for nigh →Frequently asked questions
What does “nigh” mean?
The word “nigh” means close in time or space; almost — an old-fashioned or literary word for "near.". In plain terms, an old-fashioned way of saying "near" or "almost.".
How do you pronounce “nigh”?
“Nigh” is pronounced neye (/naɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “nigh” in a sentence?
Here is “nigh” used in a sentence: “Winter was drawing nigh.”
What is another word for “nigh”?
Words with a similar meaning to “nigh” include near.
What part of speech is “nigh”?
“Nigh” is an adverb.
Where does the word “nigh” come from?
The word “nigh” comes from Old English. From Old English nēah, meaning "near" — an older form of the modern word "near.".
Is “nigh” a common word?
“Nigh” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
