nearly

adverb

near·​ly ˈnir-lē How to pronounce nearly (audio)
1
: in a close manner or relationship
nearly related
2
a
: almost but not quite
nearly identical
nearly a year later
b
: to the least extent
not nearly as good as we expected

Examples of nearly in a Sentence

I see her nearly every day. We lived there for nearly two years. Nearly all of us got sick that weekend.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Every day, dozens of women in this nearly 120,000-member group advertise themselves to each other as potential roommates. Violet Piper, Curbed, 28 Jan. 2025 In return for Menendez’s influence in the Senate in support of Egypt and Qatar, the businessmen paid him and his wife nearly $500,000 in cash and more than $100,000 in gold bars while also providing several luxury gifts, including a Mercedes-Benz, according to the feds. Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 28 Jan. 2025 The Redwood City Fire Department also serves San Carlos, which contracts with Redwood City for fire services. Redwood City, the county seat of San Mateo County, has a population of about 80,000, while San Carlos is home to nearly 30,000 residents. Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025 Right now, nearly 4 million immigration cases are stuck in limbo. Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for nearly 

Word History

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nearly was in 1561

Cite this Entry

“Nearly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nearly. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

nearly

adverb
near·​ly ˈni(ə)r-lē How to pronounce nearly (audio)
1
: in a close manner or relationship
nearly related
2
: almost but not quite
nearly the same
nearly missed the train
3
: to the least extent
not nearly enough

More from Merriam-Webster on nearly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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