Almost: meaning, definitions and examples

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almost

[ˈɔːlməʊst ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

in time

Nearly; not quite.

Synonyms

nearly, practically, virtually.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
almost	Used to indicate something that is very close to happening or being true but isn't quite there. Common in everyday conversation. I almost missed the bus this morning. Dinner is almost ready.
nearly	Similar to 'almost,' but often suggests a closer or more specific degree of approximation. Can be used in both casual and formal contexts. I nearly finished the project before the deadline. She nearly fell off her bike.
practically	Indicates that something is very close to being the case, but emphasizes the practical aspect. Often used to suggest that for all practical purposes, something is true. The task is practically impossible to complete in a day. They are practically giving away the tickets for free.
virtually	Used to describe something that is almost entirely true or that, for all practical purposes, is true. Often found in more formal or technical contexts. The software is virtually flawless. He is virtually guaranteed to win the election.

Examples of usage

the train was almost empty
she almost missed her flight

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

very close to

Very nearly.

Synonyms

all but, just about, very nearly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
almost	Commonly used to indicate that something is very close to happening or being true but hasn't quite reached that point. She almost won the race The movie is almost over
very nearly	This phrase is used to emphasize the small amount by which something is not complete or true. It often carries a sense of precision. She very nearly made it on time The team very nearly won the championship
just about	Typically used in informal speech to indicate that something is nearly the case or nearly complete, often implying a casual or conversational tone. I'm just about ready to go The cake is just about done
all but	Often used to express that something is nearly complete or true with a strong emphasis on how close it is to being entirely so. It can sometimes imply a feeling of frustration or disappointment. The project is all but finished He was all but certain he'd passed the test

Examples of usage

he almost knocked Georgina over
I've almost finished

^{Context #3 | Adjective}

nearly but not completely

Very nearly; not quite.

Synonyms

nearly, practically, virtually.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
almost	Appropriate for everyday conversations to indicate that something is very close to happening or being true, but not completely. I almost forgot my keys She almost won the race
nearly	Typically used in slightly more formal contexts and to suggest a high degree of approximation or closeness to something happening. The project is nearly finished They nearly missed the flight
practically	Often used to indicate something is so close to being true that it might as well be considered true; can imply a more extreme closeness. The plan was practically flawless We practically live next to each other
virtually	Used in formal contexts to indicate something is nearly true in every way but not entirely; often used with technical, scientific, or statistical data. The disease has been virtually eradicated He is virtually unknown in this part of the world

Examples of usage

an almost human voice
the room was almost dark

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'almost' comes from the Old English 'al' meaning 'all' and 'most' which means 'the greatest part'.
First recorded use in English dates back to the late 14th century, reflecting a sense of nearing completion or proximity.
The prefix 'al-' in 'almost' emphasizes totality, indicating the closeness of an event or action.

Psychology

Using 'almost' can affect our feelings about success, making us feel that we are on the verge of achieving something.
In cognitive psychology, the term can create a perception of goal proximity, often motivating individuals to push harder.
The 'almost effect' can trigger a feeling of disappointment or determination, depending on context.

Pop Culture

'Almost' appears in many song titles, symbolizing unfulfilled love or desire, emphasizing emotional tension.
In movies, characters often say 'almost' to indicate near achievements, which resonates with audiences experiencing similar feelings.
A popular phrase in sports commentary is 'almost got it', highlighting close calls during crucial moments.

Language Usage

'Almost' is often used in everyday conversation to express that something is very near but not fully achieved.
In terms of grammatical structure, it’s typically an adverb modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, for clarity.
The word fits in various contexts, from personal goals to narrating stories, making it adaptable and commonly used.

Literature

Writers use 'almost' to create suspense, leaving readers pondering what could have been.
In poetry, it often conveys a sense of longing or desire, swaying the reader's emotions.
Famous literary works reflect on the idea of being 'almost' happy or 'almost' in love, illustrating complex human feelings.

Translations

Translations of the word "almost" in other languages:

🇵🇹 quase

🇮🇳 लगभग

🇩🇪 fast

🇮🇩 hampir

🇺🇦 майже

🇵🇱 prawie

🇯🇵 ほとんど (hotondo)

🇫🇷 presque

🇪🇸 casi

🇹🇷 neredeyse

🇰🇷 거의 (geoyi)

🇸🇦 تقريباً (taqriban)

🇨🇿 téměř

🇸🇰 takmer

🇨🇳 几乎 (jīhū)

🇸🇮 skoraj

🇮🇸 næstum

🇰🇿 дерлік

🇬🇪 თითქმის (titkmis)

🇦🇿 demək olar ki

🇲🇽 casi

Word Frequency Rank

With position #288, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.

...
285 low
286 feet
287 something
288 almost
289 war
290 once
291 nature
...