# nearly

> English word · Adverb · IPA /ˈnɪəlɪ/ · frequency rank #1,091

## Definitions
1. In close approximation; almost, virtually.
2. With great scrutiny; carefully.
3. With close relation; intimately.
4. Closely, in close proximity.
5. Stingily.

## Etymology
From near + -ly. Cognate with Scots nerelie, neirlie (“nearly”). Compare also English nearling, nearlings.

## Easily confused with
- **newly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/nearly-vs-newly)
- **nerdy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/nearly-vs-nerdy)
- **nelly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/nearly-vs-nelly)
- **nears** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/nearly-vs-nears)
- **Newry** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/nearly-vs-newry)
- **neatly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/nearly-vs-neatly)
- **near** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/near-vs-nearly)
- **Neal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neal-vs-nearly)
- **nary** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/nary-vs-nearly)
- **Neale** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neale-vs-nearly)
- **nearby** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/nearby-vs-nearly)
- **nearer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/nearer-vs-nearly)

## Common misspellings (9)
`enarly`, `naerly`, `nealry`, `nearlly`, `nearlyy`, `nearrly`, `nearyl`, `neraly`, `nnearly`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/nearly