A2adverb 1K

Nearly

🇬🇧 UK /["/ˈnɪəli/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ˈnɪrli/"]/

Meaning of Nearly

almost; not quite; not completely

In simple words: almost or very close to something

Nearly in a sentence

• 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.

How to use Nearly

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!

Related words

Collocations with Nearly

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

Synonyms for Nearly

• almost
• practically
• virtually
• close to
• roughly

Opposites of Nearly

• completely
• not at all

Common mistakes with Nearly

• '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.

Frequently asked questions about Nearly

What does Nearly mean?

almost or very close to something

What is the definition of Nearly?

almost; not quite; not completely

How do you use Nearly in a sentence?

She runs nearly every day to stay fit.

Can you give another example of Nearly?

The project is nearly finished, just a few more details to complete.

What are synonyms for Nearly?

Common alternatives include almost, practically, virtually, close to, roughly.

What is the opposite of Nearly?

Opposite meanings include completely, not at all.

What words go with Nearly?

It commonly pairs with nearly correct, nearly finished, nearly perfect, nearly half, nearly impossible.

What are common mistakes when using Nearly?

'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.

How do you pronounce Nearly?

US: /["/ˈnɪrli/"]/, UK: /["/ˈnɪəli/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Nearly?

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.

What CEFR level is Nearly?

"Nearly" is at A2 level on the CEFR scale.