almost
Just shy of
Almost means nearly but not quite—falling just short of some mark.
It modifies verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs to indicate that something came close to happening or being true: I almost forgot, almost ready, We're almost there.
Almost can soften assertions: almost never, almost always.
It suggests proximity without completion—the gap may be tiny or significant, but something remains unfulfilled.
Almost but incomplete
- practicallyAlmost but not quite
- virtuallyNearly but not quite
- closeNearby or to shut
- approachingComing toward something
nearing · bordering · verging · approximating · shy · just about · all but · not quite
Of limited extent
- lackingBeing without something
- incompleteLacking necessary parts
- falling shortNot meeting expectations
- not enoughBelow the needed amount
deficient · missing · wanting · inadequate · shortfall · gap · deficit · unfulfilled
About to occur
- impendingSoon to occur
- about toPoised to act
- on the cuspAt a transition point
- brinkCritical boundary point
verge · threshold · precipice · eve · countdown · pending · forthcoming · looming
Almost achieved, but not
- missedFailed to reach
- fell shortFailed to reach goal
- slipped awayDeparted unnoticed
In approximate terms
- approximatelyClose but not exact
- aboutConcerning or approximately
- aroundIn the vicinity
- more or lessApproximately, not exactly
in the ballpark · close enough · comparable · similar · approaching · within range · give or take
Favoring one side
- incompleteLacking necessary parts
- unfinishedNot yet complete
- halfwayAt the midpoint
- partwayIncompletely along a distance
in progress · tentative · provisional · rough · sketchy · fragmentary · work in progress · getting there
nearly
Almost but incomplete
- practicallyAlmost but not quite
- virtuallyNearly but not quite
- closeNearby or to shut
approaching · nearing · bordering · verging · approximating · shy · just about · all but · not quite · on the brink
short
Of limited extent
- lackingBeing without something
- incompleteLacking necessary parts
- falling shortNot meeting expectations
not enough · deficient · missing · wanting · inadequate · shortfall · gap · deficit · unfulfilled · just shy
imminent
About to occur
- impendingSoon to occur
- about toPoised to act
- on the cuspAt a transition point
brink · verge · threshold · precipice · eve · countdown · pending · forthcoming · looming · approaching
so close
Almost achieved, but not
- missedFailed to reach
- fell shortFailed to reach goal
- slipped awayDeparted unnoticed
roughly
In approximate terms
- approximatelyClose but not exact
- aboutConcerning or approximately
- aroundIn the vicinity
more or less · in the ballpark · close enough · comparable · similar · approaching · within range · give or take
partial
Favoring one side
- incompleteLacking necessary parts
- unfinishedNot yet complete
- halfwayAt the midpoint
partway · in progress · tentative · provisional · rough · sketchy · fragmentary · work in progress · getting there
- adverbsquickly, slowly, very, really, now
- intensifiersvery, really, extremely, absolutely, incredibly
- almost therenearly, close, imminent, impending, approaching
- approximationsabout, approximately, around, roughly, nearly
- almost wordsnearly, barely, close, just about, practically
- hedginghedging, hedge, hedges, hedge bet, qualifier
almostcompletely
To the fullest extent
fully · entirely · totally · wholly · absolutely
- almost doneClose to finishing
- almost thereVery close to completion
- almost alwaysVery frequently, not quite universally
- almost neverOccurring very rarely
- almost allMost but not quite
- Almost FamousJust below widespread recognition