Etimology
From near + -ly.
adverb
nearly (comparative nearlier or more nearly, superlative nearliest or most nearly)
In close approximation; almost, virtually. [from 17th c.]
(now rare) With great scrutiny; carefully. [from 16th c.]
With close relation; intimately. [from 16th c.]
Closely, in close proximity. [from 16th c.]
Stingily.
Examples
Synonym: environ
He left a nearly full beer on the bar.
I nearly didn't go to work yesterday.
He was nearly caught.
She was like a Beardsley Salome, he had said. And indeed she had the narrow eyes and the high cheekbone of that creature, and as nearly the sinuosity as is compatible with human symmetry.
'Since Heidi's been here, delightful things have happened nearly every day.'
In the past two years, NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope has located nearly 3,000 exoplanet candidates ranging from sub-Earth-sized minions to gas giants that dwarf our own Jupiter.
And whosoever hath traced mee and nearely [translating de pres] looked into my humours, Ile loose a good wager if hee confesse not that there is no rule in their schoole, could, a midde such crooked pathes and divers windings, square and report this naturall motion, and maintaine an apparance of liberty and licence so equall and inflexible […] .
Let that which he learns next be nearly conjoined with what he knows already.
She could have joined most comfortably in all their supposings, and suspicions, and doubts, and prognostications, but the honour of the family was too nearly concerned to allow free reins to her tongue.
[H]e was also accounted a man of wealth, and was nearly related to a high chief.
I doubt some danger do's approach you neerely.
Related words
synonyms
almost, nigh, well-nigh, near, close to, next to, practically, virtually