near

Meanings

1. 1
   prep

   A short distance from someone or something.

   There is a bus stop near my house.

2. 2
   adv

   Only a short distance away in space or time.

   The summer holidays are drawing near.

3. 3
   adj

   Only a short distance away.

   The nearest shop is a mile away.

4. 4
   adj

   Closely related to you.

   Only near relatives came to the small wedding.

From Middle English nere, ner, from Old English nēar (“nearer”, comparative of nēah (“nigh”), the superlative would become next), influenced by Old Norse nær (“near”), both originating from Proto-Germanic *nēhwiz (“nearer”), comparative of the adverb *nēhw (“near”), from the adjective *nēhwaz, ultimately from Pre-Proto-Germanic *h₂nḗḱwos, a lengthened-grade adjective derived from Proto-Indo-European *h₂neḱ- (“to reach”). Cognates Cognate with North Frisian nai, noi, näi (“close, near”), Saterland Frisian nai (“close, near”), Dutch na (“close”), naar (“to, towards”), Dutch Low Saxon nao (“after…

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