WordWeb Online

1. (superlative of 'near' or 'close') within the shortest distance
   "that was the time he came nearest to death"
   - nighest, closest

1. Not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances
   "near neighbours"; "in the near future"; "they are near equals"; "his nearest approach to success"; "a very near thing"; "a near hit by the bomb"; "she was near tears"
   - close, nigh
    
2. Being on the left side
   "the near or nigh horse is the one on the left"; "the animal's left side is its near or nigh side"
   - nigh
    
3. Closely resembling the genuine article
   "near beer"; "a dress of near satin"
    
4. Giving or spending with reluctance
   "very near with his money"
   - cheeseparing, close, penny-pinching, skinny
    
5. With or in a close or intimate relationship
   "my sisters and brothers are near and dear"
   - dear, good
    
6. Very close in resemblance
   "a near likeness"
   - approximate

See also: adjacent, artificial, close, distance, hot, left, nearby, nearness, stingy, ungenerous, unreal, warm

Antonym: far

Encyclopedia: Near