close
KLOHZ
Close (verb) means to shut something, removing a gap or opening. Example: “Please close the window before it starts raining.”
verb
1
To shut something, removing a gap or opening.
"Please close the window before it starts raining."
"She closed her eyes and took a deep breath."
"He closed the lid of the box and tied it with string."
2
To bring something to an end.
"The chairman closed the meeting with a short thank-you speech."
"They closed the deal after months of negotiation."
"The author closes the book with a surprising twist."
3
To stop operating, whether for the day or permanently.
"The store closes at nine on weekdays."
"The local library closes early on Saturdays and all day Sundays."
"Many small shops had to close when the new shopping centre opened."
adj
1
Near in distance, time, or relationship.
"We live close to the train station."
"She's one of my closest friends."
"The two villages are close, so we often walk between them."
2
Almost even or evenly matched.
"It was a close race right up to the finish line."
"The match was so close that nobody could guess the winner."
"The score stayed close until the very last minute of the game."
3
Tightly confined, packed, or with little space to spare.
"The room felt close and stuffy with all the windows shut."
"Sleeping in the close tent on a hot night was uncomfortable."
"The close air in the cellar made it hard to breathe."
noun
1
An ending or conclusion to something.
"The show came to a close just after midnight."
"At the close of the day, we tidied the workshop."
"The year drew to a close with a quiet family dinner."
2
A dead-end street, or a narrow enclosed alley (chiefly British usage).
"They live at number four, just around the close."
"Our house is at the end of a quiet close."
"Children played football in the close until it got dark."
How to use close
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShutting something, ending something, or being physically or emotionally near to something.
Common mistake
The verb close (rhymes with "doze") and the adjective close (rhymes with "dose") are spelled the same but pronounced differently — mixing up the pronunciation is a common learner slip.
Common pairings
close the door
close a deal
close to home
a close friend
close call
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Word forms
- Plural
- closes
- Third person singular
- closes
- Past tense
- closed
- Comparative
- closer
- Superlative
- closest
- Archaic forms
- closedst, closest, closeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please _____ the window before it starts raining.
Etymology
From Old French clos, "shut, confined," ultimately from Latin claudere, "to close, bar, enclose." The same Latin root gives "clause," "claustrophobia," and "cloister."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for close
See all rhymes for close →Frequently asked questions
What does “close” mean?
The word “close” means to shut something, removing a gap or opening. In plain terms, shutting something, ending something, or being physically or emotionally near to something.
How do you pronounce “close”?
“Close” is pronounced KLOHZ (/ˈkloʊ̯z/ in IPA).
How do you use “close” in a sentence?
Here is “close” used in a sentence: “Please close the window before it starts raining.”
What is another word for “close”?
Words with a similar meaning to “close” include end, finale, near, nearby, intimate and oppressive.
What is the opposite of “close”?
The opposite of “close” — its antonyms — are beginning, start, distant, far and faraway.
What part of speech is “close”?
Depending on how it is used, “close” can be a verb, an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “close” come from?
The word “close” comes from Latin. From Old French clos, "shut, confined," ultimately from Latin claudere, "to close, bar, enclose." The same Latin root gives "clause," "claustrophobia," and "cloister.".
Is “close” a common word?
“Close” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between close and shut?
Both mean to move something so it is no longer open, and they are usually interchangeable, as you can close or shut a door. 'Shut' can sound more abrupt or forceful, and 'close' is often gentler and more formal. 'Close' also has wider figurative uses, like closing a meeting or a deal.
What is the opposite of close?
The opposite of 'close' in this sense is 'open,' to create or leave a gap where 'close' removes one. You open a door to make a way through and close it to seal the gap again. 'Unlock' or 'reopen' can also work, depending on exactly what was closed.
Can 'close' mean more than to shut something?
Yes. Beyond shutting doors and lids, 'close' can mean to bring something to an end, as in closing a meeting; to finalise, as in closing a deal; or to reduce a gap, as in closing the distance. A shop that 'closes' stops trading for the day. Context shows which is meant.
What is an example of 'close' as a verb?
'Please close the door' is the everyday example, shutting something to remove an opening. Others include 'she closed her eyes,' 'they closed the lid,' and 'the road was closed after the storm.' Each shows something being shut or sealed so that a gap or opening is removed.
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