A2adverb1K

Nearly

UK /["/ˈnɪəli/"]/US /["/ˈnɪrli/"]/

Definition

almost; not quite; not completely

In simple words: almost or very close to something

Examples

  • She runs nearly every day to stay fit.
  • The project is nearly finished, just a few more details to complete.
  • I nearly forgot my keys on the kitchen counter.
  • The movie was nearly two hours long!
  • It's nearly impossible to find a parking spot during the festival.

Usage notes

Use 'nearly' to indicate something is close to happening or to a specific amount, suitable in both spoken and written contexts. Avoid using it in formal academic writing where more precise language is preferred.

Grammar pattern

standalone adverb

Memory hint

Think of 'nearly' as 'never far' — it's almost there!

Collocations

  • nearly correct
  • nearly finished
  • nearly perfect
  • nearly half
  • nearly impossible

Synonyms

  • almost
  • practically
  • virtually
  • close to
  • roughly

Antonyms

  • completely
  • not at all

Common mistakes

  • 'Nearly' used incorrectly with negative forms (e.g. 'not nearly enough').
  • Confusing 'nearly' with 'hardly' (the latter implies less than expected).
  • Using 'nearly' with uncountable nouns when it's not appropriate.