Nearby — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adverb or adjective adjective adverb preposition /nir-ˈbī/ near·by

Meaning & Definition of Nearby

Nearby (adverb or adjective)

  1. close at hand

Nearby (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. not being distant in time, space, or significance

    "grabbed the nearby quilt and gently laid it over the sleeping child"

    similar: close, close-up, immediate, near, neighboring, next-door, nigh, proximate, at hand, to hand
    related: abutting, adjacent, adjoining, bordering, contiguous, approaching, coming, forthcoming, oncoming, upcoming, accessible, convenient, handy, close-in, hand-to-hand
    opposite: away, deep, distant, far, faraway, far-off, remote
    near: divorced, removed, separated

Nearby (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. at, within, or to a short distance or time

    "I'll be nearby if you need anything"

    similar: around, by, close, hard, in, near, nigh, at close quarters, at hand, on one's doorstep, within call
    related: hereabouts, hereaway (dialect), thereabouts, along, alongside, accessibly, conveniently, handily

Nearby (preposition) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in near, across

    similar: across, along, alongside, beyond, near, over, by, through, via, below, beneath, under, underneath, outside, past, throughout

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Nearby

The most common words with a similar meaning to Nearby:

close, close-up, immediate, near, neighboring, next-door, nigh, proximate, at hand, to hand, around, by, hard, in, at close quarters, on one's doorstep, within call, across, along, alongside, beyond, over, through, via, below, beneath, under, underneath, outside, past, throughout

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Nearby

Words with the opposite meaning of Nearby:

away, deep, distant, far, faraway, far-off, remote

Related Words for Nearby

abutting, adjacent, adjoining, bordering, contiguous, approaching, coming, forthcoming, oncoming, upcoming, accessible, convenient, handy, close-in, hand-to-hand, hereabouts, hereaway, thereabouts, accessibly, conveniently, handily

Near Antonyms of Nearby

divorced, removed, separated

Origin & Etymology of Nearby

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Nearby

Frequently Asked Questions about Nearby

What does "Nearby" mean?

"Nearby" means close at hand. As an an adverb or adjective, an adjective, an adverb and a preposition, it is defined as: close at hand. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Nearby"?

Other words for "Nearby" include close, close-up, immediate, near, neighboring, next-door, nigh and proximate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Nearby" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Nearby"?

There are 52 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Nearby". Common alternatives include close, close-up, immediate, near, neighboring, next-door, nigh, proximate, at hand and to hand.

What is the opposite of "Nearby"?

Antonyms of "Nearby" include away, deep, distant, far, faraway, far-off and remote. Near antonyms include divorced, removed and separated.

How do you use "Nearby" in a sentence?

Examples of "Nearby" in a sentence: "grabbed the nearby quilt and gently laid it over the sleeping child"; "I'll be nearby if you need anything".

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

"Nearby" can be used as an adverb or adjective, an adjective, an adverb and a preposition, depending on the context.

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

As a B2-level word, "Nearby" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Nearby"?

"Nearby" is pronounced /nir-ˈbī/ and divided into syllables as near·by.