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REFERENCE

near

prep. · adj. · adv. · v.
US //ˈnɪɹ// UK //nˈiə// near
  1. 1 close to a place (prep.)
    A1 Beginner

    close to a person, place, or thing.

    indicating spatial proximity to a reference point.

    Example

    We live in a small house near the park.

    Example

    The archaeological site is located near the confluence of two major rivers, suggesting it was once a hub for regional trade.
    • far from
    • distant from
    Pitfall
    The hotel is near to the station.
    The hotel is near the station.

    While 'close to' is correct, 'near' is usually used as a preposition on its own without 'to'.

  2. 2 close in time (prep.)
    A2 Elementary

    close to a particular time or event.

    indicating temporal proximity to a specific moment or event.

    Example

    It was getting near lunchtime, so we stopped working.

    Example

    As we drew near the end of the fiscal year, the accounting department worked late every night to reconcile the books.
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  1. 3 physically close (adj.)
    A1 Beginner

    not far away in distance.

    situated at a short distance in space.

    Example

    In the near future, more people will work from home.

    Example

    The hikers sought shelter in a near cave when the clouds began to darken and the wind picked up.
  2. 4 closely related (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    having a close family relationship.

    denoting a close degree of kinship or relationship.

    Example

    Only near relatives were invited to the small wedding ceremony.

    Example

    The estate was divided among his near relations, as he had died without leaving a formal will or naming a direct heir.
  3. 5 close in space or time (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate

    at or to a short distance away.

    at, within, or to a short distance or interval.

    Example

    The exams are drawing near, so I need to start studying.

    Example

    The deadline for the project is drawing near, yet several key components of the software remain in the testing phase.
  4. 6 almost (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    almost or nearly.

    used to indicate that something is almost the case.

    Example

    The work is near finished, so we can go home soon.

    Example

    After three years of research, the team is near certain that they have identified the cause of the structural failure.
  5. 7 to approach (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to get closer to something in distance or time.

    to approach or move closer to a physical or temporal point.

    Example

    As the plane neared the airport, we could see the city lights.

    Example

    As the ship neared the rocky coastline, the captain ordered the crew to reduce speed and monitor the sonar readings closely.
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