1
: in a close manner or relationship
nearly related
2
a
: almost but not quite
nearly identical
nearly a year later
b
: to the least extent
not nearly as good as we expected
Examples of nearly in a Sentence
I see her nearly every day.
We lived there for nearly two years.
Nearly all of us got sick that weekend.
Recent Examples on the Web
There hasn't been an eruption in the area of Monday's activity in nearly 50 years.
—
Alex Sundby, CBS News, 4 June 2024
The couple fell nearly 2,300 feet off of Mount Zerbion in Aosta Valley, Italy, according to RAI, the country’s national public broadcasting company.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, Peoplemag, 4 June 2024
Turnout in Baja California was nearly 48 percent, according to data from the state’s electoral institute.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2024
Black homeownership has declined 9% since 1970, and white households are now nearly twice as likely as Black households to own their home.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 4 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for nearly 
Alex Sundby, CBS News, 4 June 2024
The couple fell nearly 2,300 feet off of Mount Zerbion in Aosta Valley, Italy, according to RAI, the country’s national public broadcasting company.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, Peoplemag, 4 June 2024
Turnout in Baja California was nearly 48 percent, according to data from the state’s electoral institute.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2024
Black homeownership has declined 9% since 1970, and white households are now nearly twice as likely as Black households to own their home.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 4 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for nearly
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nearly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near nearly
Cite this Entry
“Nearly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nearly. Accessed 7 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nearly
adverb
near·ly
ˈni(ə)r-lē 
1
: in a close manner or relationship
nearly related
2
: almost but not quite
nearly the same
nearly missed the train
3
: to the least extent
not nearly enough
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