near: [adverb] at, within, or to a short distance or time.

a near thing (redirected from near things) a near thing 1. An unpleasant, dangerous, or disastrous event or outcome that one narrowly avoids. No one was hurt in the accident, but it was a near thing—if the fuel tank had been hit, we all would have died.

adj. close by physically adj. close in time; forthcoming adj. familiar synonyms for near Compare Synonyms adjacent adjoining immediate nearby neighboring warm abutting bordering burning close nigh ready touching abreast along toward alongside approximal around at close quarters available beside close shave close-at-hand close-by conterminous

I get confused when I read 'near' and 'near to' something. I often hear people saying 'near' without 'to', but then 'near to' is also correct. For example read the following sentences: Where is your book?-Near my bed. Where is Wall Mart?-Near to my house. Now, can I write them like this: Where is your book? -Near to my bed.