different between nearly vs pearly

English

Etymology

From near +? -ly.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?n??li/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?n??li/
• (Scotland) IPA^(key): /?ni??li/

Adverb

nearly (comparative nearlier or more nearly, superlative nearliest or most nearly)

1. (now rare) With great scrutiny; carefully. [from 16th c.]
   • 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, III.1:

     And whosoever hath traced mee and nearely [transl. de pres] looked into my humours, Ile loose a good wager if hee confesse not that there is no rule in their schoole, could, a midde such crooked pathes and divers windings, square and report this naturall motion, and maintaine an apparance of liberty and licence so equall and inflexible […].

2. With close relation; intimately. [from 16th c.]

   • Let that which he learns next be nearly conjoined with what he knows already.

   • 1837, The Dublin University Magazine

     She could have joined most comfortably in all their supposings, and suspicions, and doubts, and prognostications, but the honour of the family was too nearly concerned to allow free reins to her tongue.

   • 1847, Herman Melville, Omoo

     [H]e was also accounted a man of wealth, and was nearly related to a high chief.

3. Closely, in close proximity. [from 16th c.]
   • c. 1606, William Shakespeare, Macbeth, First Folio 1623, IV.2:

     I doubt some danger do's approach you neerely.

4. In close approximation; almost, virtually. [from 17th c.]
5. Stingily.

Synonyms

• almost, nigh, well-nigh, near, close to, next to, practically, virtually

Translations

Anagrams

• Nayler, Raelyn, Rylean, lanyer

English

Etymology

pearl +? -y

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -??(r)li

Noun

pearly (countable and uncountable, plural pearlies)

1. (uncountable, uncommon, dated) A pale greyish white colour, tinted with blue.
2. (countable, Britain, slang, especially in plural) A tooth.

Translations

Adjective

pearly (comparative pearlier, superlative pearliest)

1. Of a pale greyish white colour, tinted with blue.
2. Resembling or characteristic of a pearl; nacreous.

   a pearly lustre

3. Containing or yielding pearls.
4. Having a pure sweet tone.

Derived terms

See also

• chambered nautilus
• Appendix:Colors

Anagrams

• Player, Rapley, parley, player, prelay, replay