Almost — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adverb adjective /ˈȯl-ˌmōst/ al·most

Meaning & Definition of Almost

Almost (adverb)

  1. very nearly but not exactly or entirely

Almost (adjective)

  1. very near but not quite

Almost (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. very close to but not completely

    "we were almost finished with dinner when an unexpected visitor showed up"

    "there were almost enough seats for everybody on the bus"

    similar: about, all but, borderline, fair (chiefly British), fairly, feckly (chiefly Scottish), more or less, most, much, near, nearly, next to, nigh, practically, somewhere, virtually, well-nigh, as good as, just about, pretty much, within an inch of
    related: appreciably, by and large, chiefly, largely, mainly, mostly, kind of, partially, partly, somewhat
    near: absolutely, altogether, completely, entirely, fully, plain, plumb (chiefly dialect), quite, thoroughly, totally, utterly, well, wholly, barely, hardly, scarcely

Almost (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being such only when compared to something else

    "burdened with impossibly high expectations, the movie came to be regarded as an almost failure"

    similar: approximate, comparative, near, relative
    related: alike, comparable, similar, equal, equivalent
    opposite: absolute, complete, downright, out-and-out, outright, perfect, pure, unqualified
    near: genuine, real, true

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Almost

The most common words with a similar meaning to Almost:

Chiefly British: fair
Chiefly Scottish: feckly
about, all but, borderline, fairly, more or less, most, much, near, nearly, next to, nigh, practically, somewhere, virtually, well-nigh, as good as, just about, pretty much, within an inch of, approximate, comparative, relative

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Almost

Words with the opposite meaning of Almost:

absolute, complete, downright, out-and-out, outright, perfect, pure, unqualified

Related Words for Almost

appreciably, by and large, chiefly, largely, mainly, mostly, kind of, partially, partly, somewhat, alike, comparable, similar, equal, equivalent

Near Antonyms of Almost

absolutely, altogether, completely, entirely, fully, plain, plumb, quite, thoroughly, totally, utterly, well, wholly, barely, hardly, scarcely, genuine, real, true

Origin & Etymology of Almost

Middle English, from Old English ealmǣst, from eall + mǣst most

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Almost

Words & Phrases Containing Almost

almost a certainty, almost jump out of one's skin, almost never, almost no, almost nothing

Frequently Asked Questions about Almost

What does "Almost" mean?

"Almost" means very nearly but not exactly or entirely. As an an adverb and an adjective, it is defined as: very nearly but not exactly or entirely. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Almost"?

Other words for "Almost" include about, all but, borderline, fair, fairly, feckly, more or less and most. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Almost" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Almost"?

There are 39 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Almost". Common alternatives include about, all but, borderline, fair, fairly, feckly, more or less, most, much and near.

What is the opposite of "Almost"?

Antonyms of "Almost" include absolute, complete, downright, out-and-out, outright, perfect, pure and unqualified. Near antonyms include absolutely, altogether, completely and entirely.

How do you use "Almost" in a sentence?

Examples of "Almost" in a sentence: "we were almost finished with dinner when an unexpected visitor showed up"; "there were almost enough seats for everybody on the bus"; "burdened with impossibly high expectations, the movie came to be regarded as an almost failure".

Is "Almost" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Almost" can be used as an adverb and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Almost" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Almost" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Almost"?

"Almost" is pronounced /ˈȯl-ˌmōst/ and divided into syllables as al·most.