Near vs. Nearby: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss & Janet White || Updated on May 22, 2024
Near indicates proximity without specifying exact distance, while nearby means close in location, often suggesting a short distance away.
Key Differences
Near is a preposition and adverb used to indicate proximity to something. It does not specify an exact distance but implies that something is within a short or reachable range. Near is often used to describe the general vicinity of a location or object. Nearby, on the other hand, is an adjective and adverb that indicates something is very close in location. It often suggests a specific but short distance away, and is more precise in implying closeness than near.
While near can refer to both relative and specific proximities, nearby is more commonly used to express definite closeness. Near can be followed by nouns, whereas nearby stands alone or is used before a noun without "to". For example, "The library is near my house" versus "There is a library nearby."
In terms of usage, near can function in a wider range of grammatical contexts, including as a preposition ("The cat is near the window"), adverb ("The deadline is drawing near"), or adjective ("a near relative"). Nearby is mostly used as an adverb ("A park is nearby") or an adjective ("a nearby park"), emphasizing its proximity.
Both terms denote closeness, but nearby often conveys a sense of immediacy and exactness in location, whereas near remains more flexible in denoting general proximity.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Preposition, adverb, adjective
Adjective, adverb
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Indicates
General proximity
Specific closeness
Usage with Nouns
Often followed by a noun
Used before a noun or standalone
Example Sentences
The school is near the mall.
There is a restaurant nearby.
Degree of Closeness
Imprecise, can be relative
More precise, suggests very close
Near and Nearby Definitions
Near
Close to something in distance.
The office is near the train station.
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Nearby
In the vicinity.
A park is located nearby.
Near
At a short distance away.
The deadline is drawing near.
Nearby
Close in location.
There is a supermarket nearby.
Near
Almost or approaching.
She was near to tears.
Nearby
Adjective indicating proximity.
She found a nearby café to have lunch.
Near
To, at, or within a short distance or interval in space or time
Moved the table nearer to the wall.
As graduation draws near.
Nearby
Located close by.
They stayed at a nearby hotel.
Near
Just about; almost; nearly
Was near exhausted from the climb.
Nearby
Not far away; at a short distance.
The gas station is nearby.
Near
With or in a close relationship
It turns out we are near related.
Nearby
Located a short distance away; close at hand.
Near
Close in time, space, position, or degree
Near neighbors.
Near equals.
Nearby
Not far away
She lives downtown and works nearby.
Near
Closely related by kinship or association; intimate
A near relative.
A near and dear friend.
Nearby
Adjacent, near, close by
He stopped at a nearby store for some groceries.
Near
Nearly occurring but not actually happening
A near victory.
A near disaster.
Nearby
Next to, close to
I'm glad my friends live nearby where I can visit them.
Near
Just barely avoided
A near hit by the incendiary bomb.
Nearby
(finance) A futures contract, of a particular group, whose settlement date is the earliest.
Near
Closely corresponding to or resembling an original
A near likeness.
Nearby
Situated near; as, the nearby towns. Opposite of far away.
Near
Closely resembling the genuine article
A dress of near satin.
Near silver beads.
Nearby
Close at hand;
The nearby towns
Concentrated his study on the nearby planet Venus
Near
Closer of two or more
Take the near street and then turn right.
Nearby
Not far away in relative terms;
She works nearby
The planets orbiting nearby are Venus and Mars
Near
Being on the left side of an animal or vehicle.
Near
Being the animal or vehicle on the left.
Near
Short and direct
The nearest route to town.
Near
(Archaic) Stingy; parsimonious.
Near
Close to
An inn near London.
Near
To come close or closer to
The plane neared the terminal.
Near
To draw near or nearer; approach
As the holiday nears.
Near
Physically close.
I can't see near objects very clearly without my glasses.
Stay near at all times.
Near
Close in time.
The end is near.
Near
Closely connected or related.
The deceased man had no near relatives.
Near
Close to one's interests, affection, etc.; intimate; dear.
A matter of near consequence to me.
A near friend
Near
Close to anything followed or imitated; not free, loose, or rambling.
A version near to the original
Near
So as barely to avoid or pass injury or loss; close; narrow.
A near escape
Near
Approximate, almost.
The two words are near synonyms.
Near
On the side nearest to the kerb (the left-hand side if one drives on the left).
The near front wheel came loose.
Near
(dated) Next to the driver, when he is on foot; (US) on the left of an animal or a team.
The near ox; the near leg
Near
(obsolete) Immediate; direct; close; short.
Near
Stingy; parsimonious.
Don't be near with your pocketbook.
Near
Within the currently selected segment in a segmented memory architecture.
A near pointer
Near
At or towards a position close in space or time. en
Near
Nearly; almost.
He was near unconscious when I found him.
I jumped into the near-freezing water.
I near ruptured myself trying to move the piano.
Near
Physically close to, in close proximity to.
There are habitable planets orbiting many of the stars near our Sun.
Near
Close to in time.
The voyage was near completion.
Near
Close to in nature or degree.
His opinions are near the limit of what is acceptable.
Near
(ambitransitive) To come closer to; to approach.
The ship nears the land.
Near
The left side of a horse or of a team of horses pulling a carriage etc.
Off side
Near
At a little distance, in place, time, manner, or degree; not remote; nigh.
My wife! my traitress! let her not come near me.
Near
Nearly; almost; well-nigh.
Near about the yearly value of the land.
Near
Closely; intimately.
Near
Not far distant in time, place, or degree; not remote; close at hand; adjacent; neighboring; nigh.
He served great Hector, and was ever near,Not with his trumpet only, but his spear.
Near
Closely connected or related.
She is thy father's near kinswoman.
Near
Close to one's interests, affection, etc.; touching, or affecting intimately; intimate; dear; as, a near friend.
Near
Close to anything followed or imitated; not free, loose, or rambling; as, a version near to the original.
Near
So as barely to avoid or pass injury or loss; close; narrow{3}; as, a near escape; a near miss.
Near
Immediate; direct; close; short.
Near
Close-fisted; parsimonious.
Near
To approach; to come nearer; as, the ship neared the land.
Near
To draw near; to approach.
A speck, a mist, a shape, I wist!And still it neared, and neared.
Near
Move towards;
We were approaching our destination
They are drawing near
The enemy army came nearer and nearer
Near
Not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances;
Near neighbors
In the near future
They are near equals
His nearest approach to success
A very near thing
A near hit by the bomb
She was near tears
She was close to tears
Had a close call
Near
Being on the left side;
The near or nigh horse is the one on the left
The animal's left side is its near or nigh side
Near
Closely resembling the genuine article;
Near beer
A dress of near satin
Near
Giving or spending with reluctance;
Our cheeseparing administration
Very close (or near) with his money
A penny-pinching miserly old man
Near
With or in a close or intimate relationship;
A good friend
My sisters and brothers are near and dear
Near
Very close in resemblance;
Sketched in an approximate likeness
A near likeness
Near
Near in time or place or relationship;
As the wedding day drew near
Stood near the door
Don't shoot until they come near
Getting near to the true explanation
Her mother is always near
The end draws nigh
The bullet didn't come close
Don't get too close to the fire
Near
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; `near' is sometimes used informally for `nearly' and `most' is sometimes used informally for `almost';
The job is (just) about done
The baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded
We're almost finished
The car all but ran her down
He nearly fainted
Talked for nigh onto 2 hours
The recording is well-nigh perfect
Virtually all the parties signed the contract
I was near exhausted by the run
Most everyone agrees
Near
Close in time, relationship, or degree.
He is a near relative of mine.
Near
Close in appearance or character.
Their opinions are near identical.
FAQs
How is nearby used in a sentence?
Nearby is used as an adjective or adverb, e.g., "There is a restaurant nearby."
Can near indicate time?
Yes, near can refer to time, e.g., "The meeting is near."
Can near be followed by a noun?
Yes, near is often followed by a noun, e.g., "near the river."
What does nearby mean?
Nearby means very close in location, often suggesting a short and specific distance away.
Can nearby indicate time?
No, nearby typically refers only to physical location.
Is near used for relative proximity?
Yes, near can indicate relative proximity.
Does nearby describe relationships?
No, nearby typically describes physical location only.
What does near mean?
Near means close to something in distance or time without specifying the exact distance.
Is near more flexible than nearby?
Yes, near can function in more grammatical contexts.
How is near used in a sentence?
Near can be used as a preposition, adverb, or adjective, e.g., "The school is near the mall."
Is nearby more specific than near?
Yes, nearby often indicates a more specific closeness.
Is nearby used for definite proximity?
Yes, nearby indicates definite, close proximity.
What is an example of near and nearby in the same context?
e.g., "The school is near my house, and there's a café nearby."
Is near more commonly used?
Yes, near is more versatile and commonly used.
Can nearby stand alone?
Yes, nearby can stand alone or precede a noun, e.g., "A library is nearby."
Does nearby suggest immediacy?
Yes, nearby often suggests something is immediately close.
Is nearby more precise?
Yes, nearby is more precise in indicating location.
Can you use near and nearby interchangeably?
Not always; near is more general, while nearby is specific.
Can near describe relationships?
Yes, near can describe close relationships, e.g., "near friends."
Can near indicate similarity?
Yes, near can suggest similarity, e.g., "near identical."
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Co-written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
