nearest

From near (adv):

nearer

adv comparative

nearest

adv superlative

From near (adj):

nearer

adj comparative

nearest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

near /nɪr/   adv. and adj., -er, -est, prep., v. 
adv. 

1. close in space or time:
   Come nearer. The wedding day was drawing near.
2. closely with respect to connection or similarity:
   a near-fatal accident.
3. almost;
   nearly:
   He was near dead from cold.

adj. 
4. being close by in space or time:
   the near fields; the near future.
5. being the lesser in distance:
   the near side of the moon.
6. closely related or connected, as in a family:
   [before a noun] near relatives.
7. (used to describe something that is almost the same as something else, the difference between them being narrow or close):
   [before a noun] That was a near miss; the bullets flew just inches over our heads.

prep. [(~ + to)]
8. at, to, or within a short distance from:
   regions near (to) the equator.
9. close to in time:
   Let's meet again near the beginning of the year.
10. close to a condition, state, action, or amount;
    close in relationship:
    She came near to hitting him.

v. 
11. to come or draw near;
    approach: [~ + object]
    The boat neared the dock.
    [no object]
    Storm clouds neared.
Idioms
12. Idioms near at hand:
    • Idioms close in space;
      in the immediate area.
    • Idioms soon;
      in the near future:
      The end was near at hand.
13. nowhere near, not nearly:
    The car is nowhere near big enough for all of us.

near•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

near  (nēr), adv., -er, -est, adj., -er, -est, prep., v. 
adv. 

1. close;
   to a point or place not far away:
   Come near so I won't have to shout.
2. at, within, or to a short distance.
3. close in time:
   The New Year draws near.
4. close in relation;
   closely with respect to connection, similarity, intimacy, etc. (often used in combination):
   a near-standing position.
5. all but;
   almost;
   nearly:
   a period of near 30 years.
6. Nautical, Naval Terms close to the wind.
7. [Archaic.] in a thrifty or stingy manner.

adj. 

8. being close by;
   not distant:
   the near fields.
9. being the lesser in distance:
   the near side.
10. short or direct:
    the near road.
11. close in time:
    the near future.
12. closely related or connected:
    our nearest relatives.
13. close to an original:
    a near translation.
14. closely affecting one's interests or feelings:
    a matter of near consequence to one.
15. intimate or familiar:
    a near friend.
16. narrow or close:
    a near escape.
17. thrifty or stingy:
    near with one's pocketbook.
18. (of two draft animals hitched together) being on the driver's left (as opposed to off):
    The near horse is going lame.
19. near at hand:
    • Idioms in the immediate vicinity:
      There is a shopping area near at hand.
    • Idioms in the near future;
      soon:
      The departure is near at hand.

prep. 

20. at, to, or within a short distance, or no great distance, from or of:
    regions near the equator.
21. close to in time:
    near the beginning of the year.
22. close to a condition or state:
    He is near death.

v.t., v.i. 

23. to come or draw near;
    approach:
    The boat neared the dock. Storm clouds neared.

• Middle English nere, Old English nēar, comparative of nēah nigh bef. 900

near′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 11. imminent, impending, approaching.
• 17. tight, miserly.

Antonyms

• 1, 2.
• 8. –11, 18.far.
• 17. generous.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

near / nɪə/ preposition

1. at or to a place or time not far away from; close to

adverb

1. at or to a place or time not far away; close by
2. short for nearly: I was damn near killed

adjective

1. at or in a place not far away
2. (postpositive) not far away in time; imminent: departure time was near
3. (prenominal) only just successful or only just failing: a near escape
4. (postpositive) miserly, mean
5. (prenominal) closely connected or intimate: a near relation

verb

1. to come or draw close (to)

noun

1. Also called: nearside the left side of a horse, team of animals, vehicle, etc
2. (as modifier): the near foreleg

Etymology: Old English nēar (adv), comparative of nēah close, nigh; related to Old Frisian niār, Old Norse nǣr, Old High German nāhōr

ˈnearness noun