-Near or Near- is both a prefix and suffix that describes a gender or sometimes orientation that feels extremely close to fitting a certain label, but there is something slightly 'off', 'missing', or 'different' about it. What defines a gender/orientation feeling this way is up to the individual.
For example, feeling extremely close to being agender, but not quite fitting the term's definition 100%. As a percentage, the individual may feel as if ones gender fits the description of agender, but only 90-99% of the way - there is something slightly off about it.
The term can be used on any gender identity term as either a prefix or a suffix (eg. nearboy or boynear) and both forms add the same meaning to a term. Examples of -near/near- identities would be:
- Nearboy / Boynear (could be similar to boyish)
- Neargirl / Girlnear (could be similar to girlish)
- Nearnonbinary / Nonbinarynear
- Nearagender / Agendernear
- Nearbigender / Bigendernear
This prefix and suffix could also be used on orientations if one desires, with possible terms being nearace/acenear for asexual (could be similar to dark greysexual), or nearbi/binear for bisexual. This is not the primary use for this term but it can be considered.
Some -near/near- identities may overlap with existing terms as shown.
History
The prefix and suffix -near/near- were coined on September 18th, 2021, by Discord user thenelsonsystem#0156 (FANDOM user TheNelsonSystem). It originally only contained the gender definition, but can now be used easily for both genders and orientations if wanted.
Flags
The -near/near- flag was designed on the same day by the same user. Its colours represent the following: Grey - agiaspec and multigenders, Blue - masculine-aligned and male-aligned genders, Purple - non-binary, abinary, neutral, and xenic genders, Pink - feminine-aligned and female-aligned genders, Off-White - feeling close to fitting a term's definition but not quite
There are currently no flags for specific -near/near- identities, but it is encouraged to make some if wanted.