close
Close (verb) means to shut something, removing a gap or opening. Example: “Please close the window before it starts raining.”
How to Use Close
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShutting something, ending something, or being physically or emotionally near to something.
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.
Word Forms
closer comparative, closer comparative, closed past tense, close plural, closed plural, closes plural, closes plural, Closes plural, closes singular, close singular, closed singular, closedst singular, closest singular, closeth singular, closest superlative, closest superlative
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.