View synonyms for

almost

[ awl-mohst, awl-mohst ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adverb

very nearly; all but:
almost every house; almost the entire symphony; to pay almost nothing for a car; almost twice as many books.

almost

/ ˈɔː��əʊ�� /

adverb

little short of being; very nearly

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Usage Note

See most.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of almost¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English almost, almast, almest, Old English eall(e) mǣst “nearly all”

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Synonym Study

Almost, most, nearly, well-nigh all mean within a small degree of or short space of. Almost implies very little short of: almost exhausted; almost home. Most is colloquial for almost. Nearly implies a slightly greater distance or degree than almost : nearly well; nearly to the city. Well-nigh, a more literary word, implies a barely appreciable distance or extent: well-nigh forgotten; well-nigh home.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Moments later, an officer is heard saying, “OK, she racked it,” followed almost immediately by the sound of at least six gunshots fired in quick succession.

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Having previously played running back, wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line and safety meant that he knew what almost everyone else on the field was trying to do.

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This came as Trump decided to pause elevated rates on almost all countries for 90 days.

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Since his death, more details have emerged of how Pope Francis would be in contact almost daily with the small Christian community sheltering in a church in Gaza City during the war.

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It also marked a first win on the outdoor clay in almost three years.

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Related Words

Almoravide almost everywhere

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