nearly

UK: /ˈnɪə^rli/ US: /ˈnɪrli/ ,(nēr′lē)

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

near•ly /ˈnɪrli/   adv. 

1. all but;
   almost:
   a plan very nearly like our own.
2. not far from:
   a nearly perfect likeness.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

near•ly  (nēr′lē), adv. 

1. all but;
   almost:
   nearly dead with cold.
2. with close approximation:
   a nearly perfect likeness.
3. with close agreement or resemblance:
   a plan nearly like our own.
4. with close kinship, interest, or connection;
   intimately:
   nearly associated in business; two women nearly related.

• near + -ly 1530–40

Synonyms

• 1. . See almost. 
• 4. . closely.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

nearly / ˈnɪəlɪ/ adverb

1. not quite; almost; practically
2. not nearly ⇒ nowhere near; not at all: not nearly enough money
3. closely: the person most nearly concerned