Is nearly the same as almost?

Yes, in many sentences they mean very close to something. Nearly can sound a bit more exact.

Can I use nearly in formal writing?

Yes. It is common in academic and business English.

What is the difference between nearly and near?

Nearly is an adverb. Near is usually a preposition, adjective, or adverb.

Can I say nearly all?

Yes. Nearly all means almost all, but not every single one.

← Dictionary

nearly

/ˈnɪə.li/

IELTSAcademic

adverb

Almost, but not completely. Use it to say something is very close to happening or being true.

I nearly missed the train.
The class is nearly full.
She was nearly asleep.

Adinary Nuance

Nearly is close to almost, but it often sounds a little more exact or factual. Writers use nearly when they want to show something is very close to a limit, time, or result. Almost can feel slightly broader or more general in everyday speech.

In other languages

Vietnamese: gần như
Spanish: casi
Chinese: 几乎
Japanese: ほとんど
Korean: 거의

Etymology

Nearly comes from Middle English nearli, from near + -ly. It has been used in English since the 1300s.

Common phrases

nearly impossiblenearly finishednearly therenearly always

Synonyms

almost virtually practically close to

Related words

about roughly approximately near

Frequently asked questions

Is nearly the same as almost?: Yes, in many sentences they mean very close to something. Nearly can sound a bit more exact.
Can I use nearly in formal writing?: Yes. It is common in academic and business English.
What is the difference between nearly and near?: Nearly is an adverb. Near is usually a preposition, adjective, or adverb.
Can I say nearly all?: Yes. Nearly all means almost all, but not every single one.