Nearly Meaning, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：almost but not (nearly)

nearly 🔊

/ˈnɪəli/

adv

It means almost, very close to something but not exactly or completely.

Nearly clock showing minute hand at 59th minute

almost but not 🔊

➕

/ˈɔːlməʊst bʌt nɒt/

adv

It means almost, very close to something but not exactly or completely.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'near' + '-ly', meaning 'in a close manner'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'near Lee' – you are near Lee but not exactly there, like nearly.

📖 Example

Nearly all the students in our school participated in the sports day event. 🔊 Almost all the students at our school took part in the sports day event.

🔗 Collocations

nearly there – very close to reaching a destination or goal

nearly all – almost every one of a group

nearly finished – close to completion

🔄 Synonyms

almost (adv) – very close to, but not exactly

approximately (adv) – used to show that something is almost, but not completely, accurate

practically (adv) – in a way that is almost the same as

🚫 Antonyms

completely (adv) – in every way or as much as possible

entirely (adv) – wholly, without any part left out

exactly (adv) – in an exact manner, precisely

🌱 Derivatives

nearness (n) – the state of being close in distance or time

nearby (adj/adv) – close in distance; not far away

nearer (adj/adv) – comparative form of near; closer

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Old English 'neah' (near) and '-lic' (like), evolving through Middle English 'nerly' to modern 'nearly'. Used to indicate close approximation.