nearness

N1E1A1R1N1E1S1S1

noun

The state of being near; closeness; intimacy.

Similar
closenessproximity
Opposite
distantnessremotenessfarness
OriginMiddle English nernes →
UncommonScrabble 8
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Meanings

nounnearness (usually uncountable, plural nearnesses)

plural nearnesses

  1. uncountableusuallyThe state of being near; closeness; intimacy.
  2. uncountableusuallyStinginess.

Synonyms & antonyms

Similar
closenessproximity
Opposite
distantnessremoteness

nounthe spatial property resulting from a relatively small distance

Similar
closeness
Opposite
farness
Broader
distance
Also see
closenessproximity

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Middle Englishnernes
  2. Englishnearness

From Middle English nernes, equivalent to near + -ness. Cognate with West Frisian nearens (“nearness”).

More words from Middle English

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

Arnessen
Cite this entry
APA

nearness. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nearness

MLA

“nearness.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nearness. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “nearness,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nearness.

Source: nearness on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.