Nearly

Almost, not quite reaching a certain point or degree, Very close to a particular time, number, or amount, With little remaining or available

Nearly - Meanings

Almost, not quite reaching a certain point or degree

Example: She nearly missed her flight.

Usage: informalContext: everyday conversations

Note: Used to indicate a close call or near miss

Very close to a particular time, number, or amount

Example: The project is nearly complete.

Usage: formalContext: professional settings

Note: Indicates a high degree of completion or proximity to a specific goal

With little remaining or available

Example: I have nearly finished all the food.

Usage: informalContext: casual conversations

Note: Used to convey scarcity or depletion

Nearly's synonyms

virtually

Virtually means nearly or almost but not exactly. It suggests that something is very close to being true or accurate.

Example: The project is virtually complete.

Note: Virtually is commonly used in contexts where something is almost true or real.

practically

Practically means almost or nearly in a practical sense. It indicates that something is close to being achieved or realized.

Example: I've practically finished my homework.

Note: Practically often implies a practical aspect or feasibility to the nearness of completion.

closely

Closely means in a close or intimate manner, indicating a small or narrow degree of separation.

Example: The two teams are closely matched in skill.

Note: Closely can refer to physical proximity or similarity in characteristics rather than just nearness in quantity or time.

approximately

Approximately means roughly or around a particular amount or time. It suggests an estimation that is close to the actual value.

Example: The journey will take approximately two hours.

Note: Approximately is often used when giving an estimated or rounded figure rather than an exact measurement.

Nearly expressions, common phrases

Almost

Nearly reaching a certain point or level, very close to being or doing something.

Example: She almost missed the bus, but she made it just in time.

Note: Almost implies a high degree of proximity or completion towards a specific goal or state.

Close to

Being a short distance away in space or time, near in relationship or connection.

Example: The store is close to my house, so I can walk there easily.

Note: Close to emphasizes the spatial or relational proximity between two objects or concepts.

Just about

Almost, nearly, very close to completion or accomplishment.

Example: I am just about finished with my homework; I only have one more question to answer.

Note: Just about suggests being on the verge of completing a task or reaching a certain state.

On the brink of

At the point of experiencing something significant or about to happen.

Example: The company was on the brink of bankruptcy before the new CEO took charge.

Note: On the brink of conveys a sense of being at a critical juncture or threshold of a situation.

Within striking distance

Close enough to achieve or accomplish something, near enough to make a decisive move or action.

Example: Our team is within striking distance of winning the championship this season.

Note: Within striking distance implies being close enough to take action or make a significant impact.

Just shy of

Nearly, almost reaching a specific quantity, distance, or achievement.

Example: The marathon runner finished just shy of breaking the world record.

Note: Just shy of indicates falling slightly short of a particular goal or target.

Within a hair's breadth

Extremely close, almost touching or reaching a certain point.

Example: The car missed hitting the tree within a hair's breadth.

Note: Within a hair's breadth denotes being incredibly close to a specific outcome or event.

Nearly everyday (slang) expressions

Barely

Barely indicates that something almost did not happen or came very close to not happening.

Example: I barely made it to the meeting on time.

Note: Barely implies a stronger sense of nearness or closeness to not happening compared to nearly.

Just squeaked by

This term suggests that someone barely passed or succeeded at something.

Example: I just squeaked by my exams.

Note: It conveys a sense of narrowly avoiding failure or a negative outcome.

Scarcely

Scarcely means in a way that there is almost none of something remaining or present.

Example: The store had scarcely any products left on the shelves.

Note: It emphasizes the lack or shortage more strongly than the word 'nearly'.

Pretty much there

This term suggests being very close to achieving or understanding something.

Example: I'm pretty much there with understanding this topic.

Note: It implies a high level of completion or understanding, just short of complete.

Near miss

A near miss is a situation where something almost goes wrong but doesn't.

Example: The car had a near miss with the truck on the highway.

Note: It implies a situation where a disaster or mishap was narrowly avoided.

Nearly - Examples

Nearly missed the train

It's nearly midnight

She nearly fell off the bike

Nearly grammar

Nearly - Adverb (Adverb) / Adverb (Adverb)

Lemma: nearly

Conjugations

Adverb (Adverb): nearly

Syllabification and Stress

nearly Contains 2 syllables: near • ly

Phonetic transcription: ˈnir-lē

near ly , ˈnir lē (The red syllable is stressed)

Nearly - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

nearly: 800 - 900 (Extremely common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

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