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1nigh

adverb \ˈnī\

: close in time or place

: almost or nearly

Full Definition of NIGH

1
:  near in place, time, or relationship —often used with on, onto, or unto
2
:  nearly, almost
See nigh defined for English-language learners
See nigh defined for kids
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Origin of NIGH

Middle English, from Old English nēah; akin to Old High German nāh, adverb, nigh, preposition, nigh, after, Old Norse nā- nigh
First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to NIGH

Synonyms
around, by, close, hard, in, nearby, near

Rhymes with NIGH

ay, aye, bi, Bligh, buy, by, bye, chai, chi, cry, die, dry, dye, eye, fie, fly, fry, guy, hie, high, Huai, i, I, lie, lye, my, phi, pi, pie, ply, pry, psi, rye, scythe, shy, sigh, sky, Skye, sly, spry, spy, sty, Tai, Thai, thigh, thy, tie, try, vie, why, wry, wye, xi, Y

2nigh

adjective

Definition of NIGH

1
:  close, near
2
chiefly dialect :  direct, short
3
:  being on the left side <the nigh horse>

First Known Use of NIGH

before 12th century

Related to NIGH

Synonyms
close-up, immediate, near, nearby, neighboring, next-door, close, proximate
Antonyms
away, deep, distant, far, faraway, far-off, remote

Other Dialect Terms

bespoke, boughten, lave, muchacho, spunk, thunk, toboggan

3nigh

preposition

Definition of NIGH

:  near

First Known Use of NIGH

before 12th century

Related to NIGH

Synonyms
about, by, near, next to, around

4nigh

verb

Definition of NIGH

transitive verb
:  to draw or come near to :  approach
intransitive verb
:  to draw near

First Known Use of NIGH

13th century

Related to NIGH

Synonyms
belly up, close, close in, come up, draw on, near, approach
Antonyms
back (up or away), recede, retire, retreat, withdraw
NIGH Defined for Kids

1nigh

adverb \ˈnī\

Definition of NIGH for Kids

1
:  near in time or place <Autumn is nigh.> <I drew nigh and planted the kitten on the table … — Richard Peck, A Long Way from Chicago>
2
:  almost, nearly <It was nigh impossible to hear them.>

2nigh

adjective

Definition of NIGH for Kids

:  3close 1, near <I wandered in the woods nigh home.>

Learn More About NIGH

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3 ENTRIES FOUND:
  1. nigh
  2. nigh-hand
  3. well-nigh
Next Word in the Dictionary: nigh–handPrevious Word in the Dictionary: niggunAll Words Near: nigh
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