# nigh

/ˈnaɪ/ (US) · /nˈaɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nigh
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. almost or nearly

adverb · CEFR C2 · Literary

almost or nearly. You usually see this in the phrase 'well-nigh'.

For teachers: nearly or almost; in modern usage, it is largely restricted to the fixed adverbial phrase 'well-nigh'.

- It was well-nigh impossible to finish the work on time.
- The complexity of the legal framework made it well-nigh impossible for a layperson to navigate the proceedings without professional counsel.

Usage: Frequently occurs in the fixed collocation 'well-nigh'.

### 2. near in space or time

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

near or close by.

For teachers: near in place, time, or relationship.

- The time of the festival is drawing nigh.
- As the hour of departure drew nigh, a sense of quiet anticipation settled over the gathered crowd.

Usage: Commonly used with the verb 'draw' to indicate an approaching event.

### 3. close to

preposition · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

near to something.

For teachers: in close proximity to; near.

- The old cottage stood nigh the river bank.
- The weary travellers sought rest in a small clearing that lay nigh the mountain pass.

## Examples

- The end of the school year is nigh.
- With the sun setting behind the mountains, the travelers knew that nightfall was nigh.
- The veteran politician admitted that the time for his retirement was well-nigh certain, given the shifting priorities of the younger electorate.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.