Almost Meaning
Almost Definition & Usage
Used to indicate that something is nearly, but not quite, the case or situation. It refers to a state that is close to being fully realized, but falls just short.
Examples
- "I almost finished my homework before dinner."
- "The car almost hit the pedestrian, but stopped just in time."
- "It was almost time for the meeting to start when she arrived."
- "I almost agreed to go, but then I remembered my prior commitment."
- "We almost won the game, but they scored in the last minute."
Used to describe a small degree of something or an event that is only just perceptible. It emphasizes the closeness of a situation or condition without implying a definite outcome.
Examples
- "I'm almost certain I'll be able to attend the meeting."
- "She was almost in tears when she heard the news."
- "This dish is almost as good as the one we had last week."
- "The weather is almost too cold to go outside without a jacket."
- "His explanation was almost clear, but there was one part that was confusing."
Used to compare two similar things or actions where one is nearly equal to the other, but not identical. This usage implies that the difference is minimal, but still significant.
Examples
- "Her answer was almost identical to mine."
- "He looked almost as tired as I felt after the hike."
- "The new version of the software is almost the same as the previous one, with just a few updates."
- "His voice sounded almost like his father's."
- "The two paintings were almost indistinguishable from each other."
Cultural Context
The word 'almost' comes from Old English 'eallmæst', meaning 'almost' or 'nearly'. It has been used for centuries to convey the idea of proximity or near completion, often signifying that a situation is close to but not quite achieved.
The Almost Game
Story
The Almost Game
It was the final round of the school's annual quiz competition, and the atmosphere in the hall was electric. The clock was ticking down, and Emma, standing at the front of the room, felt the pressure mount. Her team had been leading all day, but now, with just one question remaining, they were neck and neck with the opposing team. The question was simple, or so it seemed: 'What is the capital of Australia?' Emma’s mind raced. She had read about it recently, and for a moment, she was almost sure she knew the answer. 'Canberra,' she thought, but doubt crept in. Was it Melbourne? Was it Sydney? She was almost certain about Canberra, but was it right? With a deep breath, she pressed the buzzer. 'Sydney,' she said, trying to sound confident. The crowd fell silent. The announcer paused and then smiled. 'Sorry, but that's incorrect. The correct answer is Canberra.' Emma’s heart sank. She had almost been right. 'You were so close!' her teammate said, clapping her on the back. 'We almost won, but it’s okay!' Emma smiled, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that they could have won. They had almost done it. On the way home, Emma and her team joked about how they were almost as good as the other team, and how next year they would be sure to get every answer right. It was a near win, but not quite. Still, it was a reminder that they had made it so far. 'Next year,' Emma thought, 'we’re going to win it all.'
Related Words
