Nigh Meaning
/naɪ/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjNear, close by.
adjNot remote in degree, kindred, circumstances, etc.; closely allied; intimate.
Sentence Examples
The zombie apocalypse is nigh!
The end is nigh.
The loathsome Gadgols no longer dared come nigh.
CEFR Practice Quiz
With winter approaching, the end of the growing season is ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The sun was setting, and the end of our long journey was finally ____.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂neḱ- Proto-Germanic *nēhwazder. Proto-Germanic *nēhw Proto-West Germanic *nāhw Old English nēah Middle English neygh English nigh Inherited from Middle English neygh, from Old English nēah, from Proto-West Germanic *nāhw, from Proto-Germanic *nēhw, from *nēhwaz, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂neḱ- (“to reach”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"For with ſuch puiſſance and impetuous maine / Thoſe Champions broke on them, that forſt the fly, / Like ſcattered Sheepe, whenas the Shepherds ſwaine / A Lyon and a Tigre doth eſpye, / With greedy pace forth ruſhing from the foreſt nye."
— 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto IX”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 14, page 311:
"By these and many histories more, it is most evident, that the more nigh salvation and deliverance approach, the more vehement is temptation and trouble."
— 1831, John Knox, The History of the Reformation of Religion in Scotland, page 421:
"The enemy, somewhat imboldened, draws nigher to the fort."
— 1834, Davy Crockett, A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett, page 197:
"You then went to St. Andrews, the nighest ocean port."
— 1889, House of Commons of Canada, Debates: Official Report, volume 2, page 1408:
"The end is nigh (or at least it was supposed to be), but the Pacers in northern England kept plugging away providing a service while awaiting the much-delayed arrival of their replacements."
— 2020 May 20, John Crosse, “Soon to be gone... but never forgotten”, in Rail, page 63, photo caption:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
With winter approaching, the end of the growing season is ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The sun was setting, and the end of our long journey was finally ____.