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Imminent vs Nigh - What's the difference?

imminent | nigh |

As adjectives the difference between imminent and nigh

is that imminent is about to happen, occur, or take place very soon, especially of something which won't last long while nigh is near, close by.

As a verb nigh is

to draw nigh (to); to approach; to come near.

As an adverb nigh is

almost, nearly.

As a preposition nigh is

near; close to.

imminent

English

(Imminence)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • about to happen, occur, or take place very soon, especially of something which won't last long.
  • *

    • Usage notes

    * Imminent and eminent are very similar sounds, and are weak rhymes; in some dialects, these may be confused. A typo of either word may result in a correction to the wrong word by spellchecking software. Imminent'' is also sometimes confused with ''immanent . * Said of danger, threat and death.

    Synonyms

    * inevitable * immediate * impending

    Derived terms

    * imminence * imminently

    Related terms

    * eminent * prominent

    External links

    * * * ----

    nigh

    English

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • (archaic, poetic) near, close by
    • The end is nigh !
  • * , 2006, Echo Library, page 185,
    • He at his head took aim who stood most nigh ;
  • * 1831 , , The History of the Reformation of Religion in Scotland , page 421,
    • By these and many histories more, it is most evident, that the more nigh salvation and deliverance approach, the more vehement is temptation and trouble.
  • * 1834 , , A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett , page 197,
    • The enemy, somewhat imboldened, draws nigher to the fort.
  • * 1889 , , Debates: Official Report , Volume 2, page 1408,
    • You then went to St. Andrews, the nighest ocean port.
  • Not remote in degree, kindred, circumstances, etc.; closely allied; intimate.
  • * Knolles
    • nigh kinsmen
  • * Bible, Eph. ii. 13
    • Ye are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

    Usage notes

    * is used today mostly in archaic, poetic, or regional contexts.

    Synonyms

    * (near) close, close by, close to, near

    Related terms

    * near * next * neighbor

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To draw nigh (to); to approach; to come near.
    • night is nighing'', ''death is nighing
    nighing his hour
    a death-nighing moan

    Quotations

    * (English Citations of "nigh")

    Adverb

    (-)
  • Almost, nearly.
  • *, chapter=12
    • , title= Mr. Pratt's Patients , passage=So, after a spell, he decided to make the best of it and shoved us into the front parlor.

    Usage notes

    * Nigh is sometimes used as a combining form.

    Quotations

    * (English Citations of "nigh")

    Derived terms

    * well-nigh * nigh on * nigh-well

    Preposition

    (English prepositions)
  • near; close to
    • When the Moon is horned ... is it not ever nigh the Sun?