closer

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.

“Closer” is pronounced KLOH-suh (/ˈkloʊ.sɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “closer” used in a sentence: “Move your chair a little closer to the table.”

Depending on how it is used, “closer” can be an adverb and a noun.

The word “closer” comes from Middle English. From Middle English closere, formed from close plus the agent suffix -er.

“Closer” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Closer” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: nearer than before; comparative of "close.".

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.

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.

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'.