proximity

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The state of being near to someone or something in space.

   Grammar: Usually followed by to: proximity to the station.

   Patterns

   • proximity to something
   • in close proximity

   The apartment's proximity to the subway makes it popular.

   Workers in close proximity to the machinery must wear helmets.

   Many families settle in proximity to their relatives.

2. 2noununcountable

   Closeness in time, relationship or similarity.

   Grammar: Used for non-physical nearness: proximity in time.

   Patterns

   • proximity in time
   • proximity of something

   The proximity of the two events surprised the investigators.

   Their emotional proximity grew during the trip.

   The test measured the proximity of the answers to the real value.

Common combinations

close proximity

The two houses stand in close proximity.

proximity to

The hotel's proximity to the beach is a big draw.

in proximity to

Do not store gas in proximity to a heater.

proximity sensor

The phone has a proximity sensor in the screen.

geographic proximity

Geographic proximity makes trade easier between the two towns.

Synonyms and how they differ

nearness

Nearness is the everyday word, while proximity is more formal and technical.

closeness

Closeness also describes warm emotional bonds, so it is broader than proximity.

vicinity

Vicinity means the area around a place, not the degree of closeness.

adjacency

Adjacency means being directly next to something, which is stricter than proximity.

Opposites

Word family

proximate adjective

nearest, or immediate

proximal adjective

nearer the center of the body

approximate adjective

close but not exact

approximately adverb

roughly

Commonly confused: proximity or approximity?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “proximity”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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