nearlynear‧ly /ˈnɪəli $ ˈnɪrli/ ●●● S1 W1 adverb 
It took nearly two hours to get here. Michelle’s nearly twenty. Is the job nearly finished? Louise is nearly as tall as her mother. I nearly always go home for lunch. He very nearly died.► see thesaurus at almost2not nearly not at all: He’s not nearly as good-looking as his brother. We’ve saved some money, but it’s not nearly enough.GRAMMAR: Comparisonnearly• Don’t use nearly before negative words such as ‘no’ or ‘nothing’. ✗Don’t say: I know nearly nothing about it. | There was nearly no traffic.almost• You can use almost with negative words such as ‘no’ or ‘nothing’: · I know almost nothing about it.· There was almost no traffic.hardly• You can also form negative sentences using hardly with ‘any’, ‘anything’ etc: · I know hardly anything about it.· There was hardly any traffic.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- He's nearly six feet tall.
- I nearly died from salmonella poisoning.
- Oh, my goodness, it's nearly 12:30.
- Alas, it was not nearly so simple, and many more complex problems remained to be solved.
- He was nearly at the feeding-ground now.
- He was wearing pale blue brushed denim pants and a pale blue shirt that made his blue eyes look nearly luminous.
- Last summer nearly saw the second ascent of Ken's Fisherman's Tale by a visiting climber.
- Porter Payne would drop by nearly every day to see how things were going.
- The blizzard also nearly froze secondary trading, participants said.
- The trouble is that anything you do, nomatterwhat, will nearly always increase the muscular tension and make the situation worse.
THESAURUS
not completely or not quite: · I’ve almost finished my essay.· It's almost lunchtime.
almost. Nearly is more commonly used in British English than American English: · I’ve been a teacher for nearly 10 years now.· It’s very nearly time to go home.
almost, but not yet: · ‘Is he 60?’ ‘Not quite!’· It’s not quite time to go yet.· I’m not quite ready yet.
very nearly: · The room was practically empty.practically all/everything/everyone etc: · The frost killed practically every plant in the garden.· Virtually everyone had gone home.
especially spoken very nearly – use this when saying that the difference is not important: · All the rooms are more or less the same size.· His jacket was pretty much the same colour as his trousers.· The policy will benefit just about everyone.
British English informal, getting on toward especially American English informal almost a particular time, age, or period of time – used especially when you are not sure of the exact time, age etc: · It’s getting on for 10 years since we last saw each other.· ‘How old’s Diane?’ ‘She must be getting on toward 50.’
almost a particular number, amount, or time – used especially when the number or amount is surprisingly large or the time is very late: · It was close to midnight by the time we arrived.· They’ve spent close to $1.3 billion on the project.
almost – used when a number or amount is still increasing or a time is getting nearer: · The unemployment rate was nearing 20%.
to be very close to doing something: · She was on the verge of tears (=almost crying).· I was on the verge of giving up.· They were on the verge of making a decision.
to be very close to an extremely bad situation: · The two countries are on the brink of war.· The company was on the brink of bankruptcy.
Longman Language Activatorwhen you have almost done something or something has almost happened · I've almost finished reading the newspaper.· It was early 1945, and the war had nearly ended.
especially spoken not completely or exactly, but almost - use this when the difference is not important: · Hanson's acting career appears to be pretty much over.· I had more or less convinced her that I was telling the truth.
almost completely: · Communist parties have practically disappeared in Europe.· Mexico's rainforest has been virtually destroyed.
not completely, but almost - use this to say that something has not happened, but that it almost has: not quite done/finished etc: · She hasn't quite finished her homework yet.· Give me five minutes - I'm not quite ready.
: all but over/finished/done very nearly finished or done: · By now the war was all but over.· "Can we go home now?" "Just one moment - I've all but finished my work."
almost at or in a particular situation, especially an extreme one: · The police describe the situation as approaching crisis proportions.· Dr Dunstable was in a state nearing nervous collapse.· I felt close to tears as I read Vera's letter.
to be very close to an extremely bad situation: · The two countries are on the brink of war.be on the verge of tears/death/hysteria etc: · Kerry is on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
almost all: almost all/every/everything/everyone · Almost all the wine had been drunk.· The burglars took nearly everything in the house that was of any value.· Almost everyone in the office has had the flu this year.
: practically all/everything/everyone etc very nearly all: · The frost killed practically every plant in the garden.· Virtually everyone had gone home.
especially spoken: just about all/everything/everyone etc very nearly all - use this when saying that the difference is not important: · I've packed pretty much everything I need for the trip.· It rains more or less every day here in November.· Sonya knew more or less everyone at the party.· She's travelled in just about every country in Europe.· The second-hand shop on the corner sells just about anything.
almost a number, time, or amount use this to say that something is a little less than a number or amount, or a little before a particular time. Almost and nearly have the same meaning, but almost is much more common than nearly in American English. In British English both words are common: · I've been a teacher for nearly 10 years now.· We had money and almost $1000 in traveler's checks.· John is three years old and Sally is almost six.very nearly: · It's very nearly time to go home.
use this when you want to emphasize that something is a little less than a number or amount, or a little before a particular time: · "Is he 60?" "Not quite!"· It's not quite time to go yet.
also close on British almost a particular number, amount, especially a surprisingly large one, or almost a particular time, especially a very late time: · The government spends close to $100 billion a year on education.· There must be close to a hundred people in the hall.· We drove close on 500 miles Saturday.· It was close on midnight by the time they got home.
almost a particular number, amount, time etc, and still increasing or getting nearer to that number, amount, time etc: · In the North East, the unemployment rate is now nearing 20 percent.be fast approaching (=very nearly a particular time): · By now the winter was fast approaching, and further travel would soon be inadvisable.
British informal to be almost a particular time, age, or period of time: it's getting on for something: · It's getting on for 10 years since we last saw each other.· It must be getting on for lunch time. I'm starving.somebody is getting on for 40, 50 etc (=use this when guessing an older person's age): · "How old's Diane?" "She must be getting on for 50."
informal to be almost forty, fifty etc - use this when you are guessing an older person's age : · Burt's probably pushing 50 by now.
when something almost happens but does not · I was laughing so hard I almost fell out of my chair.· The terrorists almost succeeded in blowing up the President's limousine.very nearly · She was very lucky. She very nearly lost her life.
to almost do something or almost be in a particular state: come close/near to doing something: · She was so angry that she came very close to walking out of the meeting.· Dad came near to changing his mind about lending me the car.be close/near to something: · The negotiations were very near to breaking down.
to very nearly do something, especially something dangerous or unpleasant: come within inches of death: · Coulson came within inches of death on a climbing trip in the Himalayas last year.come within an inch of doing something: · Manchester United came within an inch of losing the game.
: narrowly avoid/miss/escape etc to avoid something unpleasant or dangerous, although you almost do not avoid it: · Flying into the airport at Lima, we narrowly avoided a collision with another plane.· The article says Meyers narrowly escaped arrest in Rome last month.
a situation in which someone is almost killed or injured: · Mike's had two motorcycle accidents, plus a few other pretty close shaves.
British if something that you succeed in doing is a near thing or a close thing you succeed in doing it, but only at the last moment: · The Labour party won the election, but it was a very near thing.· Security forces managed to free the hostages, but it was a very close thing.
spoken say this when something bad very nearly happens but does not, especially when this is the result of good luck: · The guard began to search the pile of leaves where we were hiding, but then got distracted by a noise from the house. "Phew, that was close!" said John. "C'mon, let's get out of here!"
most of an amount, group, or thing the largest number of people or things, or the largest part of something: · What most people want is a peaceful life.· Most restaurants open at 7.· Most evenings we just stay in and watch TV.· Most research suggests that health is related to social class.most of: · Most of the people I spoke to were very worried.· Alex spent most of his allowance on books.· I've lived here most of my life, so I know the area pretty well.
· He likes almost all kinds of popular music.· We got nearly all our food from the farm.· The bed occupied nearly all the space in the room.almost all/nearly all of · Nearly all of my clothes are too small now.· Almost all of the world's tropical forests are in developing countries.
more than half of the people or things in a large group: · A poll of Democrats shows that a majority support the President.the/a majority of: · In June the majority of our students will be taking examinations.· They claim their campaign is supported by a majority of residents.the vast/great/overwhelming majority (=far more than half): · The great majority of accidents in the Alps occur while climbers are coming down.· an education policy that will please the vast majority of parents
most of a large amount or number of something: · Throughout the Middle Ages, the bulk of the population lived in the country rather than in towns.· The bulk of the charity's income comes from private donations.
most of a period of time or of a distance, especially when the time or distance is too long: · It was the best part of a mile to the farm.· It'll probably take the best part of a week to sort it out.· I expect the whole procedure to take the better part of a morning.
the biggest part of something valuable or good that is taken by one person, group, or organization, so that others get less: · Sarah only ate a few bites of the dessert, so I got the lion's share.the lion's share of: · Why should the state get the lion's share of people's money?· His company currently has the lion's share of the market.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY I nearly always go home for lunch. He very nearly died. We’ve saved some money, but it’s not nearly enough.
I nearly always go home for lunch. He very nearly died. We’ve saved some money, but it’s not nearly enough.· I know almost nothing about it.
· There was almost no traffic.
· I know hardly anything about it.
· There was hardly any traffic.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES informal (=much less than you need) We only had $500, and that was nowhere near enough to buy a new camcorder.
We only had $500, and that was nowhere near enough to buy a new camcorder.· He thought that winning would be almost impossible.
· His collection included an almost perfect skeleton of an armadillo.· Her performance was near perfect.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Finding new staff is nearly impossible.· Wuhan was in an uproar when they arrived, its streets nearly impossible because of the mobs.· It was nearly impossible to get them to accept a surrender.· It is possible to find safe harbor but nearly impossible to do so without a few blow-ups.· Except in tourist hotels and restaurants, it is nearly impossible to pay with anything over a $ 5 note.· There are long, loose episodes here that are nearly impossible to follow and probably should have been cut.· It is difficult to accept such a change simply on intellectual grounds and nearly impossible to accept its implications.· Domestic long-distance telephone calls often do not connect, and international calls can be nearly impossible.
VERB· I've nearly died several times, and my back's never been strong.· He got back in the car even though his father Bobby nearly died on a track.· I nearly died too - I was so angry and tired and ill.· I remembered how I had nearly died that night when Shoshana had sent us to the private clinic to guard a corpse.· The old man had put his hands around Berry's neck until he nearly died.· You nearly died, and you might not be so lucky next time.· I nearly died when I saw them.· In 1998, he was hospitalized twice for it and said later he nearly died that fall.
· Average incomes have nearly doubled, from $ 1,300 to $ 2,500.· Cover and let rise about 1 hour or until nearly doubled in size.· Illustrated fundamental problem of ownership-nearly doubles journeys made.· With this aspect behind it, applications shot up, nearly doubling the number of EMs in the program.· Tadpole Technology grabbed the limelight, up another 8p at 143p and nearly double its 75p offer price.· It nearly doubled his monthly wage, from $ 3. 75 to $ 6. 50.· Vehicle thefts have nearly doubled in two years.· Everyone was polite, cordial, and nearly doubled up with pain.
· Alejandro nearly fell off his seat.· That he nearly fell backward off the railing when he heard her plan was no surprise.· My legs are a bit wobbly and I nearly fall over.· While Nikon shares fell nearly 3 percent, Nikkodo shares jumped more than 11 percent.· The revolver nearly fell from my hands, and my whole body froze with fear.· My grandfather beat my father till his skin nearly fell Off, but my father always said his father saved his life.· Well, I nearly fell off, that's all, and it gave me foot a bit of a twinge.· The High Seas Summit, as the press dubbed it, nearly fell through two days before it was to occur.
· Thrift has nearly killed her on several occasions, through the agency of old sausages, slow-punctured tyres, rusty blades.· He got back in the car even though he was nearly killed and partially blinded by a wreck in 1994.· It was hot: it would nearly kill you.· My husband was nearly killed because of a drunk driver.· Having the twins nearly killed her.· Britt becomes involved after she witnesses a carjacking that claims the life of a toddler and nearly kills his mother.· And all because that terrible man got away that night, after he'd nearly killed Brett.· In 1990, streptococcal toxic shock nearly killed Jessica Esquivel, then 6, of Imperial Beach.
· He lost nearly all his money.· Yosemite Concession Services says it is losing nearly $ 150, 000 in gross revenue each day the park is closed.· He was lucky to be alive, he said. Nearly lost him, he said.· Between 1991 and 1994, Digital lost nearly $ 6 billion.· But he lost nearly all the glow of affection and respect in which he had retired.· The seven companies expect to lose nearly half the money they lent after selling collateral held on the nonperforming debt.· It has lost nearly all its muscles and become thin and whip-like, sometimes with a poisonous spine at the end.· Yes; you nearly lost your youth.
· In school we are spending nearly half as much again, in real terms per pupil, as in 1979.· California has to spend nearly $ 2 billion a year educating undocumented children.· He did better junior year, despite the fact that he spent nearly all of it arguing with the priests.· You could spend nearly the whole day watching nothing but nature documentaries, and if you did you would emerge exhausted.· Over the next three years, we are committed to spend nearly £6,000 million through the Housing Corporation to provide 153,000 homes.· Real fans can look forward to spending nearly $ 200 for a family of four to park and watch a three-hour game.· In her short career keep-fit fanatic Lesley has had to spend nearly nine months off duty recovering from her injuries.· Rivas has spent nearly half his 48 years incarcerated.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► I nearly died/I could have died► somebody nearly/almost fell off their chair
1especially British English almost, but not quite or not completely SYN almost: - But the writing is not nearly as tight nor as taut as it should be.
- But this is not nearly enough.
- His 21 errors were a tad high but not nearly as worrisome as his 127 strikeouts.
- Not the least reason for this, of course, was simply the fact that the hierarchy was not nearly as fully developed.
- On the other hand, I found law school boring and not nearly as much fun as college.
- Researchers found that thin people also experienced food cravings, but not nearly as much as those who were overweight.
- Several students get through adequate, but not nearly as theatrical, renditions.
- We saved money, but not nearly as much as expected.
- She wrote: I almost fainted when I read your letter, confronted by that terrible mistake I had made.
- These were removed and - oh, sweet Lord, I nearly fainted!
- This can be the case with ivory, which is pretty nearly tooth material.
It took nearly two hours to get here. Michelle’s nearly twenty. Is the job nearly finished? Louise is nearly as tall as her mother. I nearly always go home for lunch. He very nearly died.► see thesaurus at almost2not nearly not at all: He’s not nearly as good-looking as his brother. We’ve saved some money, but it’s not nearly enough.GRAMMAR: Comparisonnearly• Don’t use nearly before negative words such as ‘no’ or ‘nothing’. ✗Don’t say: I know nearly nothing about it. | There was nearly no traffic.almost• You can use almost with negative words such as ‘no’ or ‘nothing’: · I know almost nothing about it.· There was almost no traffic.hardly• You can also form negative sentences using hardly with ‘any’, ‘anything’ etc: · I know hardly anything about it.· There was hardly any traffic.