Nearby: Definition, Examples, and Usage Guide

Meaning 1：close in distance (nearby)

nearby 🔊

/ˌnɪrˈbaɪ/

adj./adv.

not far away in distance.

Person pointing to nearby grocery store on sunny street

close in distance 🔊

➕

/kloʊs ɪn ˈdɪstəns/

adj./adv.

Located or situated a short distance away; not far.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

near (from Old English neah) + by (from Old English bī), meaning 'close at hand'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think: 'near' + 'by' = right next to you, so close you can touch it.

📖 Example

Don't worry about water; there's a nearby supermarket where we can buy some. 🔊 There is no need to worry about water because a supermarket is located close by where we can get some.

🔗 Collocations

nearby town – a town that is near in location

nearby store – a store situated not far away

nearby residents – people living in the immediate vicinity

🔄 Synonyms

close (adj.) – not far away in distance

adjacent (adj.) – next to or near something

neighboring (adj.) – located in the area close to a particular place

🚫 Antonyms

faraway (adj.) – distant in space

distant (adj.) – far away in space or time

remote (adj.) – situated far from the main centers of population

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'nearby' emerged in the 14th century as a compound of 'near' and 'by', indicating proximity. It became common in modern English to describe locations within easy reach, often used in travel and daily conversation.