How Do You Spell NEARLY?

Pronunciation: [nˈi͡əli] (IPA)

The word 'nearly' is spelled with a silent 'e' at the end, which makes the 'ea' combination pronounced as /ɪə/. However, the 'e' at the end itself is not pronounced. Thus, the correct IPA phonetic transcription for 'nearly' is /ˈnɪə.li/. This word means 'almost' or 'not quite', and is often used to indicate proximity or approximation. It is important to spell words correctly for effective communication, especially in written form.

NEARLY Meaning and Definition

  1. Nearly is an adverb that is used to describe something that is close to a certain condition, quantity, or state. It indicates a proximity or approximation without actually reaching the exact value or degree. It suggests a close approach to completeness or accuracy, but falls a bit short.

    In a physical sense, nearly implies a small distance or space away from a destination or objective. It signifies an action or movement that is close to reaching its intended target, but not quite there yet. For example, if someone says "I nearly reached the top of the mountain," it means they were close to reaching the summit but did not fully achieve it.

    In a numerical or quantitative sense, nearly denotes a value that is very close to a certain number but falls slightly short. For instance, if a person says "I have nearly 50 dollars," it suggests that the person has a little less than 50 dollars, but a significant amount that is close to that value.

    On a more abstract level, nearly can be used to describe an event, situation, or state that is approaching or bordering on something. It conveys a sense of proximity to a particular condition or outcome. For example, if someone states "She is nearly finished with her painting," it means that she is very close to completing the artwork but has not quite reached the final stage.

    Overall, nearly implies a closeness or proximity to something but emphasizes that it falls just short of achieving or attaining it.

  2. Closely; at no great distance; almost; within a little.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for NEARLY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for NEARLY

Etymology of NEARLY

The word "nearly" is derived from the Middle English word "nerly", which meant "closely, strictly" or "sincerely, honestly". It ultimately evolved from the Old English word "nearlice", which meant "closely or (in the) end". The modern meaning of "almost" or "not quite" emerged around the 14th century.

Idioms with the word NEARLY

  • could have died of sth, at almost/nearly die of sth The idiom "could have died of something" or "almost/nearly die of something" is often used to exaggerate a person's reaction to a situation. It implies that the person was extremely shocked, surprised, or frightened by something that happened or was said. While the person did not actually face a life-threatening situation, the idiom emphasizes the intensity of their emotional response.
  • almost/nearly die of sth The idiom "almost/nearly die of sth" means to come extremely close to death or experience a life-threatening situation due to a specific cause or circumstance. It emphasizes the severity or intensity of the situation, often used figuratively to describe a near-catastrophic event or a very intense experience.
  • nearly/almost fall off your chair The idiom "nearly/almost fall off your chair" is used to describe a state of extreme surprise or shock that is so intense that it makes someone feel as though they are about to lose their balance and fall off their chair. It usually signifies astonishment or incredulity in response to unexpected or astonishing news or circumstances.
  • nearly/almost have a heart attack The idiom "nearly/almost have a heart attack" is used to describe an extreme emotional or physical response to a surprising, shocking, or alarming event. It implies a sense of intense fear, astonishment, or distress, often causing an individual's heart to race or skip a beat, though it does not necessarily indicate a serious medical condition.
  • nearly jump out of skin The idiom "nearly jump out of skin" means to be extremely surprised, scared, or shocked to the point where one's immediate reaction is to jump or move involuntarily in a startled manner. It conveys a feeling of being strongly taken aback or experiencing an intense emotional response.
  • nearly fall off your chair The idiom "nearly fall off your chair" typically means to be extremely surprised, shocked, or astonished by something to the point where one's reaction is so strong that it feels as though they might physically lose balance or fall off a chair. It is an exaggerated expression used to convey a high level of astonishment or disbelief.
  • nearly jump out of your skin The idiom "nearly jump out of your skin" means to be extremely startled or frightened by something, causing a strong physical reaction such as jumping or experiencing a sudden surge of adrenaline. It implies being caught off guard or surprised to the point where one's body reacts as if it wants to escape from the situation.
  • pretty nearly "Pretty nearly" is an idiomatic phrase used to suggest a close approximation or nearness to something. It implies that something is almost accurate, complete, or achieved, but not entirely or precisely so.
  • not nearly The idiom "not nearly" means that something is significantly lacking or falling short in terms of quantity, quality, or degree. It suggests that the current state or amount is far from being sufficient or close to meeting expectations.
  • nearly fall off (one's) chair The idiom "nearly fall off (one's) chair" refers to a situation where someone is astonished, shocked, or surprised to the extent that it gives them a feeling of losing balance or control and almost falling off a chair they are sitting on. It is an exaggerated expression used to convey a strong reaction or a flabbergasted state due to a surprising or unexpected event or statement.
  • nearly fall out of (one's) chair The idiom "nearly fall out of (one's) chair" refers to a situation where one is extremely surprised, shocked, amused, or delighted by something to the extent that they almost lose their balance and fall off their chair. It implies an exaggerated and intense reaction to a particular event or statement that catches the person completely off guard.
  • your eyes nearly pop out of your head The idiom "your eyes nearly pop out of your head" is used figuratively to describe a strong reaction or extreme astonishment to something surprising or shocking. It suggests that a person's eyes widen significantly, sometimes to the point where they appear as though they might pop out of their sockets, due to the intensity of their reaction.
  • nearly jump out of (one's) skin The idiom "nearly jump out of (one's) skin" means to be extremely startled or frightened and react with a sudden, intense physical or emotional response. It implies a level of shock or surprise that causes a person to feel as if they could literally leave their own body due to the overwhelming sensation.
  • nearly fall off chair

Similar spelling word for NEARLY

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: