v.

1. move towards;
   approach, come on, go up, draw near, draw close, come near
   
   • We were approaching our destination
   • They are drawing near
   • The enemy army came nearer and nearer

adj.

1. not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances;
   close, nigh
   
   • near neighbors
   • in the near future
   • they are near equals
   • his nearest approach to success
   • a very near thing
   • a near hit by the bomb
   • she was near tears
   • she was close to tears
   • had a close call
2. being on the left side;
   near(a), nigh(a)
   
   • the near or nigh horse is the one on the left
   • the animal's left side is its near or nigh side
3. closely resembling the genuine article
   
   • near beer
   • a dress of near satin
4. giving or spending with reluctance;
   cheeseparing, close, penny-pinching, skinny
   
   • our cheeseparing administration
   • very close (or near) with his money
   • a penny-pinching miserly old man
5. with or in a close or intimate relationship;
   dear, good
   
   • a good friend
   • my sisters and brothers are near and dear
6. very close in resemblance;
   approximate
   
   • sketched in an approximate likeness
   • a near likeness

adv.

1. near in time or place or relationship;
   nigh, close
   
   • as the wedding day drew near
   • stood near the door
   • don't shoot until they come near
   • getting near to the true explanation
   • her mother is always near
   • The end draws nigh
   • the bullet didn't come close
   • don't get too close to the fire
2. (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished;
   about, just about, almost, most, all but, nearly, nigh, virtually, well-nigh
   
   • the job is (just) about done
   • the baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded
   • we're almost finished
   • the car all but ran her down
   • he nearly fainted
   • talked for nigh onto 2 hours
   • the recording is well-nigh perfect
   • virtually all the parties signed the contract
   • I was near exhausted by the run
   • most everyone agrees