almost

1 of 2

adverb

al·​most ˈȯl-ˌmōst  ȯl-ˈmōst 

: very nearly but not exactly or entirely

We're almost there.

The work is almost done.

almost

2 of 2

adjective

: very near but not quite

an almost failure

Synonyms of almost

Adverb

• nearly
• practically
• virtually
• fairly

Adjective

• relative

Examples of almost in a Sentence

Adverb

Analysts predict that rates will rise by almost 40 percent.

Goats will eat almost anything.

Adjective

burdened with impossibly high expectations, the movie came to be regarded as an almost failure

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

If another worker with a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas PPO plan got the same drug at the same Houston Methodist hospital, an employer could be paying almost six times as much, or nearly $4,400 for a vial. — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026

The usable space is almost over the top at this Upper West Side one-bedroom, as seen in this listing photo. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 5 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Home of a fur seal trade leading to an almost extinction of seals, a whaling station, and then many volcanic eruptions leading to the destruction of scientific stations, this island looks like it is cursed. — New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2026

That also means its almost time for clocks to fall back. — Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from Old English ealmǣst, from eall + mǣst most

Adjective

derivative of almost entry 1

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1529, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing almost

• almost a certainty
• almost jump out of one's skin
• almost never
• almost no
• almost nothing

Rhymes for almost

• engrossed
• foremost
• hindmost
• impost
• inmost
• lamppost
• leftmost
• necrosed
• outpost
• pancoast
• rightmost
• riposte

Kids Definition

almost

adverb

al·​most

ˈȯl-ˌmōst, 

ȯl-ˈmōst

: only a little less than : nearly

we're almost finished