(often + to) at or to only a short distance away

living near to one's parents

The exams were drawing near

(used before an adjective) almost

with near-disastrous results

close in place, time, or connection

the nearest shop

in the near future

a near relation

almost but not quite a certain thing

a near disaster

denoting the side of a vehicle nearest the kerb, that is the left where traffic keeps to the left; nearside: compare off³

to approach (a place or point)

as we neared the house

My researches were nearing their conclusion

to get near; to approach

as the millennium neared