nigh

/naɪ/

/naɪ/

Other forms: nighly; nighs

Nigh is an old-fashioned word that can be used as an adjective or adverb to mean near or nearly. Something that is nigh impossible — like knitting a sweater in one night — will be very difficult to accomplish.

As an adjective, nigh is an older form of the word "near," both of which are rooted in the Old English word neah. People like to use the word nigh when they talk about the apocalypse: "Repent! The end is nigh." It's most common to use nigh today when you're trying to sound poetic or referencing the archaic or biblical uses of the word.

Definitions of nigh

1. adverb

   near in time or place or relationship
   “The end draws nigh”

   synonyms: close, near
2. adverb

   (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
   “talked for nigh onto 2 hours”

   “the recording is well-nigh perfect”

   synonyms: about, almost, most, near, nearly, virtually, well-nigh
3. adjective

   not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances
   synonyms: close, near

   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
4. adjective

   being on the left side
   synonyms: near

   left

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