There are seven meanings listed in OED's entry for the word almost, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
Almost and nearly both mean 'not completely' or 'not quite'. They can be used in front of adjectives or noun phrases, or with verbs. Dinner is almost ready. We're nearly ready now. I spent almost a month in China. He worked there for nearly five years. Jenny almost fainted. He nearly died.
Almost is an adverb or adjective that is used to describe something or someone that is very close to or nearly achieving a certain state, condition, or characteristic, but falls just short of it. It denotes a situation where there is a small difference or margin remaining before reaching a complete or full state.
The meaning of ALMOST is very nearly but not exactly or entirely. How to use almost in a sentence.
We use almost and nearly to refer to the progress of things, especially if we are measuring and counting things. In these examples, almost and nearly can both be used: … It’ll cost almost as much to repair your computer as to buy a new one. We were bitten by mosquitoes almost every night.
You use almost to indicate that something is not completely the case but is nearly the case. The couple had been dating for almost three years. The effect is almost impossible to describe. He contracted Spanish flu, which almost killed him.
almost, adv., adj., & n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English ...
From Middle English almost, from Old English eallmǣst (“nearly all, almost, for the most part”), equivalent to al- (“all”) + most.