almost

Từ điển Oxford Learners Wordfinder Dictionary

see also FAIRLY/VERY
- not far from doing sth or being sth: almost, nearly
I'll be with you in a minute - I've almost finished. ◎ She's been very ill - you know she nearly died. ◎ an almost perfect day
Note: almost can be used with negative words like 'never', 'no one', 'nothing'; nearly cannot:
We almost never go to the cinema these days.
- very near to being sth; almost completely: practically, virtually, just about, as good as, to all intents and purposes
These maths problems are practically/virtually impossible. ◎ She's got strong views on just about everything. ◎ It's not broken, but it's as good as useless in that condition. ◎ I haven't been promoted yet, but I'm already a manager to all intents and purposes.
- nearly, but not completely (emphasizing a negative meaning): not quite
'Can I see your report?' 'Well, it's not quite finished, actually.'
- almost not (emphasizing a negative meaning): hardly, scarcely, barely
There was hardly anybody there. ◎ You've hardly eaten anything. ◎ There was scarcely enough food for everyone (= there almost wasn't enough food).
- almost not (emphasizing a positive meaning): only just
I only just caught the train (= I nearly missed it) .
- almost correct but not completely accurate: rough (adverb roughly), approximate (adverb approximately)
I don't know the exact increase; I think it's roughly three per cent. ◎ Could you give us an approximate figure for next year's sales, please?
※ absolutely or approximately correct EXACT/APPROXIMATE

• Từ đồng nghĩa / Synonyms:
  about, most, nearly, near, nigh, virtually, well-nigh