adv
Common
closer
KLOH-suh
Closer (adv) means Nearer than before; comparative of "close.". Example: “Move your chair a little closer to the table.”
adv
1
Nearer than before; comparative of "close."
"Move your chair a little closer to the table."
"The children crept closer to the fire as the story got scarier."
"If you come any closer, the dog might start barking at you."
noun
1
Someone or something that finishes or concludes a thing, especially a skilled salesperson.
"The company hired him because he's known as a great closer."
"Our team needs a strong closer who can persuade customers to sign before they leave."
"As a closer, she turns hesitant visitors into buyers within minutes."
2
In baseball, a relief pitcher brought in to secure the final outs of a win.
"The manager sent in his closer to protect a one-run lead in the ninth."
"The crowd cheered as the closer struck out the last batter."
"Their closer had a shaky night and nearly lost the game."
How to use closer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNearer in distance — or a person/thing that finishes something off, from sales pitches to baseball games.
Common pairings
come closer
closing pitcher
a natural closer
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Word forms
- Plural
- closers
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Move your chair a little _____ to the table.
Etymology
From Middle English closere, formed from close plus the agent suffix -er.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for closer
See all rhymes for closer →Frequently asked questions
What does “closer” mean?
The word “closer” means nearer than before; comparative of "close.". In plain terms, nearer in distance — or a person/thing that finishes something off, from sales pitches to baseball games.
How do you pronounce “closer”?
“Closer” is pronounced KLOH-suh (/ˈkloʊ.sɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “closer” in a sentence?
Here is “closer” used in a sentence: “Move your chair a little closer to the table.”
What part of speech is “closer”?
Depending on how it is used, “closer” can be an adverb and a noun.
Where does the word “closer” come from?
The word “closer” comes from Middle English. From Middle English closere, formed from close plus the agent suffix -er.
Is “closer” a common word?
“Closer” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “closer” have?
“Closer” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: nearer than before; comparative of "close.".
What is the difference between 'closer' and 'nearer'?
Both are comparatives meaning a shorter distance away than before, and in most sentences they are interchangeable — 'move closer' and 'move nearer' mean the same thing. 'Closer' is slightly more common in everyday American English, while 'nearer' can sound a touch more formal or literary.
Is 'closer' an adverb or a noun?
It can be both. As the comparative of 'close', it is an adverb or adjective meaning nearer — 'step closer'. Spelled the same but from a different sense, 'closer' is also a noun for a person or thing that closes something, such as a strong finish or a relief pitcher in baseball.
What is the opposite of 'closer'?
The opposite is 'farther' or 'further', meaning at a greater distance than before. 'Farther' is usually preferred for physical distance you can measure, while 'further' also covers figurative distance and degree. So the reverse of 'moving closer' is 'moving farther' or 'further away'.
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