Meanings
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1
adj
Near in time or space; close at hand.
Many believed the end of the world was nigh.
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2
adv
Almost; nearly.
It was nigh impossible to finish the work on time.
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3
prep
Near; close to.
The cottage stood nigh the river.
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4
verb
To draw near; to approach.
As winter nighed, the days grew shorter and colder.
Thesaurus
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂neḱ- Proto-Germanic *nēhwazder. Proto-Germanic *nēhw Proto-West Germanic *nāhw Old English nēah Middle English neygh English nigh Inherited from Middle English neygh, from Old English nēah, from Proto-West Germanic *nāhw, from Proto-Germanic *nēhw, from *nēhwaz, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂neḱ- (“to reach”).