well-nigh

well-nigh [wel-nahy] ExamplesWord Origin See more synonyms for well-nigh on Thesaurus.com adverb

1. very nearly; almost: It’s well-nigh bedtime.

Origin of well-nigh before 1150; Middle English; Old English Synonym study See almost. Related Words for well-nigh essentially, morally, approximately, virtually, nearly, basically, very, almost, exceedingly, much, too, remarkably, roughly, practically, around, most, about, relatively, well-nigh, nigh Examples from the Web for well-nigh Historical Examples of well-nigh

Save for the dead, this natural clearing was well-nigh deserted.

In the Valley

Harold Frederic

The day was well-nigh gone when they came near to the greenwood tree.

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood

Howard Pyle

As a matter of fact she had been well-nigh bored to death there.

The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete

Emile Zola

His horse had floundered in a snow-drift, and he himself was well-nigh frozen.

The Chinese Fairy Book

Various

Here the infamous Tschauna harassed me and well-nigh put me to shame.

The Chinese Fairy Book

Various

British Dictionary definitions for well-nigh well-nigh adverb

1. nearly; almostit’s well-nigh three o’clock

Word Origin and History for well-nigh adv.

Old English wel neah, from well (adv.) + nigh.