/ Dictionary / Index N nearly: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: near•ly Pronunciation: (nēr'lē), [key] — adv. all but; almost: nearly dead with cold. with close approximation: a nearly perfect likeness. with close agreement or resemblance: a plan nearly like our own. with close kinship, interest, or connection; intimately: nearly associated in business; two women nearly related. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: nearly (Thesaurus) Nearer Tibet near miss Related Content Daily Word Quiz: digression Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language