NIGH

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does nigh mean? 

• NIGH (adjective)
  The adjective NIGH has 2 senses:

1. not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances

2. being on the left side

  Familiarity information: NIGH used as an adjective is rare.

• NIGH (adverb)
  The adverb NIGH has 2 senses:

1. near in time or place or relationship

2. (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

  Familiarity information: NIGH used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• NIGH (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances

Synonyms:

close; near; nigh

Context example:

had a close call

Similar:

adjacent (near or close to but not necessarily touching)

nearby (close at hand)

warm (of a seeker; near to the object sought)

hot (of a seeker; very near to the object sought)

Attribute:

distance (the property created by the space between two objects or points)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Being on the left side

Synonyms:

near; nigh

Context example:

the animal's left side is its near or nigh side

Similar:

left (being or located on or directed toward the side of the body to the west when facing north)

• NIGH (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Near in time or place or relationship

Synonyms:

close; near; nigh

Context example:

don't get too close to the fire

Sense 2

Meaning:

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

Synonyms:

about; almost; most; near; nearly; nigh; virtually; well-nigh

Context example:

most everyone agrees

 Context examples 

Then how dare you advise a man who has sat on the bench for nigh twenty years!

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Why, I've sat here off an' on for nigh twenty years past, an' it hasn't done me no harm.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Theer, theer come, one day, that snake. —Let him never come nigh me.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

His year and day are well-nigh up, when he will be a free man.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He toiled on, miserable and well-nigh hopeless.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

White Fang's strength was developed by the long hours on trail and the steady toil at the sled; and it would have seemed that his mental development was well-nigh complete.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

La, no Miss, but he's had a scene with Mr. Laurie, who is in one of his tantrums about something, which vexes the old gentleman, so I dursn't go nigh him.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

When dinner-time drew nigh, Catherine took a nice steak, which was all the meat she had, and put it on the fire to fry.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

I was well-nigh choking, and my eyes were certainly fiery.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been woven round him.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)