Pronunciations (13)
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/ˈkləʊz/
Pronunciation notes
- Received-Pronunciation
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[ˈkʰl̥əʊ̯z]
Pronunciation notes
- Received-Pronunciation
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/ˈklɵʊ̯z/
Pronunciation notes
- Received-Pronunciation
-
[ˈkʰl̥ɵ̞ʊ̯z]
Pronunciation notes
- Received-Pronunciation
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/ˈkloʊ̯z/
Pronunciation notes
- General-American
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[ˈkʰl̥oʊ̯z]
Pronunciation notes
- General-American
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/ˈklɔʊ̯z/
Pronunciation notes
- General-American
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[ˈkʰl̥ɔʊ̯z]
Pronunciation notes
- General-American
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/kləʊs/
Pronunciation notes
- Received-Pronunciation
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/kloʊs/
Pronunciation notes
- General-American
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kləʊs
Pronunciation notes
- GB
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kloʊs
Pronunciation notes
- US
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kləʊz
Verb
To remove or block an opening, gap or passage through. To move a thing, or part of a thing, nearer to another so that the gap or opening between the two is removed.
Usage- Transitive or intransitive
- physical
- Antonyms
- Examples
-
Please close the door.
Close the door behind you when you leave.
Many flowers close at night.
More examples (5)
Jim closed his eyes and reclined back in his chair.
The runner in second place is closing the gap on the leader.
to close the ranks of an army
What deep wounds ever closed without a scar?
If I close my eyes I can see Marie today as I saw her then. Round, rosy face, snub nose, dark hair piled up in a chignon.
To remove or block an opening, gap or passage through. To obstruct or block.
Usage- physical
- Transitive
- Antonyms
- Examples
-
They closed the road for the festival.
Ice has closed the channel to shipping.
To remove or block an opening, gap or passage through. To become denser or more crowded with objects.
Usage- Intransitive
- physical
- Examples
-
As we penetrated further, the forest closed around us.
To remove or block an opening, gap or passage through. To make or become unreceptive.
Usage- Figurative
- Intransitive
- physical
- Transitive
- Examples
-
He has closed his mind to new ideas.
To remove or block an opening, gap or passage through. To move to a position preventing fluid from flowing.
Usage- Intransitive
- physical
- Transitive
- of valve or damper
To remove or block an opening, gap or passage through. To move to a position allowing electricity to flow.
Usage- Intransitive
- physical
- Transitive
- of a switch
To remove or block an opening, gap or passage through. To grapple; to engage in close combat.
Usage- physical
- Examples
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1856-1858, William H. Prescott, History of the Reign of Phillip II They boldly closed in a hand-to-hand contest.
To remove or block an opening, gap or passage through. To angle (a club, bat or other hitting implement) downwards and/or (for a right-hander) anticlockwise of straight.
Usage- especially
- Intransitive
- physical
- Transitive
To finish. To end or conclude.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
-
We will close the meeting now.
The committee chairman made a few concluding remarks and then closed the session.
to close a bargain; to close a course of instruction
More examples (2)
One frugal supper did our studies close.
If these brief lays, of Sorrow born, Were taken to be such as closed Grave doubts and answers here proposed, Then these were such as men might scorn: […]
To finish. To finish; to come to an end.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
-
The debate closed at six o'clock.
To finish. To conclude (a sale).
Usage- ergative
To finish. To perform as the final act at (a show etc.).
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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Nirvana closed the festival.
To finish. To make the final outs, usually three, of a game.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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He has closed the last two games for his team.
To finish. To cancel or reverse (a trading position).
Usage- Transitive
To make or become non-operational or unavailable for use. To put out of use or operation.
Usage- Transitive
- Synonyms
- Examples
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We are closing the phone lines at 9 pm.
Your account has been closed because of non-payment.
More examples (1)
They closed the airport because of a bomb scare.
To make or become non-operational or unavailable for use. To cease operation or cease to be available.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
-
Phone lines will close in ten minutes.
Our options are closing fast.
To make or become non-operational or unavailable for use. To cease trading for the day, or permanently.
Usage- Intransitive
- of a business
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Examples
-
The shop closes at six.
The supermarket closes at eight o'clock.
Lots of shops in the town centre have closed because of the recession.
More examples (1)
The FTSE 100 closed up 1.2%.
To make or become non-operational or unavailable for use. To do the tasks (putting things away, locking doors, etc.) required to prepare a store or other establishment to shut down for the night.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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Whoever closed last night forgot to turn off the closet light.
To make or become non-operational or unavailable for use. To terminate an application, window, file or database connection, etc.
Usage- ergative
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
Close the file when you have finished reading data.
This app has a bug: when you try to sort a large spreadsheet, it closes.
To make or become non-operational or unavailable for use. To turn off; to switch off.
Usage- Cyprus
- Philippines
- Quebec
- Examples
-
Please close the lights, the (electric) fan, the TV.
To come or gather around; to enclose.
Usage- Figurative
- Examples
-
The depth closed me round about.
More examples (1)
But now Thou dost Thyself immure and close / In some one corner of a feeble heart; / Where yet both Sinne and Satan, Thy old foes, / Do pinch and straiten Thee, and use much art / To gain Thy thirds' and little part.
To have a vector sum of 0; that is, to form a closed polygon.
Noun
An end or conclusion.
- Examples
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We owe them our thanks for bringing the project to a successful close.
His long and troubled life was drawing to a close.
The manner of shutting; the union of parts; junction.
- Examples
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The doors of plank were; their close exquisite.
The point at the end of a sales pitch when the consumer is asked to buy.
- Synonyms
- Examples
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Regardless of the situation, the minute you feel it's time for the close, try it.
A grapple in wrestling.
- Examples
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The intestine shocke, And furious cloze of ciuill Butchery.
The conclusion of a strain of music; cadence.
- Examples
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At every close she made, the attending throng / Replied, and bore the burden of the song.
A double bar marking the end.
The time when check-in staff will no longer accept passengers for a flight.
Adjective
Having little difference or distance in place, position, or abstractly; see also close to. At little distance; near in space or time.
- Examples
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The station is close to our house.
Is your house close?
Christmas is getting close.
More examples (1)
[…] St. Bede's at this period of its history was perhaps the poorest and most miserable parish in the East End of London. Close-packed, crushed by the buttressed height of the railway viaduct, rendered airless by huge walls of factories, it at once banished lively interest from a stranger's mind and left only a dull oppression of the spirit.
Having little difference or distance in place, position, or abstractly; see also close to. Almost, but not quite (getting to an answer, goal, or other state); near.
- Examples
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No, but you were close.
We were so close to winning!
More examples (2)
She wasn't quite in tears but she was close.
Finance is seldom romantic. But the idea of peer-to-peer lending comes close. This is an industry that brings together individual savers and lenders on online platforms. Those that want to borrow are matched with those that want to lend.
Having little difference or distance in place, position, or abstractly; see also close to. Almost resulting in disaster.
Usage- in particular
- Examples
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Phew! That was close!
Having little difference or distance in place, position, or abstractly; see also close to. Nearly equal; almost evenly balanced; almost exactly matching.
- Examples
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Their ages are quite close.
His face is a close fit with the artist's impression.
More examples (1)
It was a close contest.
Having little difference or distance in place, position, or abstractly; see also close to. Adhering strictly to a standard or original; exact or nearly so.
- Examples
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a close translation; a close copy
Having little difference or distance in place, position, or abstractly; see also close to. Intimate or immediate in personal relationship.
- Examples
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She is a close friend.
He is a close friend.
My brother and I were close when we were younger, but not so much now.
More examples (2)
For Christmas we just had a few close relatives round.
a close colleague; a close ally
Having little difference or distance in place, position, or abstractly; see also close to. Involving a tight connection; involving frequent communication, shared or cooperative activity, etc.
- Examples
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We have a close affiliation with the college.
I keep in close contact with my former colleagues.
Having little difference or distance in place, position, or abstractly; see also close to. Nearing orgasm.
Compressed, restricted, constrained, etc. Physically narrow or confined.
- Examples
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a close alley; close quarters; close confines
More examples (1)
[...] he took to wondering what possible temptation could have induced a dingy-looking fly that was crawling over his pantaloons, to come into a close prison, when he had the choice of so many airy situations [...]
Compressed, restricted, constrained, etc. Tight, with little space separating components or elements.
- Examples
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For this job it's best to use wood with a close grain.
These trousers are a close fit.
Compressed, restricted, constrained, etc. Strictly confined; carefully guarded.
- Examples
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He was captured and kept a close prisoner.
Compressed, restricted, constrained, etc. Tightly restricted in availability.
- Examples
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The pregnancy was a close secret.
His lawyers have so far kept this information close.
Compressed, restricted, constrained, etc. Of a corporation or other business entity, closely held.
Compressed, restricted, constrained, etc. Oppressive; without motion or ventilation; causing a feeling of lassitude.
- Examples
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If the rooms be low-roofed, or full of windows and doors, the one maketh the air close, [...] and the other maketh it exceeding unequal.
1907, Algernon Blackwood, The Dance of Death …the artificial light and close air of his high office stool …
More examples (1)
He sighed drowsily. The atmosphere of the auction room was close; you weren't allowed to smoke; and altogether he was beginning to regret that he had come.
Compressed, restricted, constrained, etc. Hot, humid, with no wind.
Usage- Ireland
- UK usage
Compressed, restricted, constrained, etc. Dense; solid; compact.
Usage- Archaic
- Examples
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The golden globe being put into a press, [...] the water made itself way through the pores of that very close metal.
Rigorous, careful, etc. Attentive; undeviating; strict.
- Examples
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The patient was kept under close observation.
Keep a close eye on him.
More examples (1)
I must acknowledge that hitherto I have discover’d no other way to keep our Thoughts cloſe to their Buſineſs, but the endeavouring as much as we can, and by frequent Attention and Application, getting the habit of Attention and Application.
Rigorous, careful, etc. Carefully done, detailed.
- Examples
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This issue merits close examination.
Unfortunately, on close reading of the Ts and Cs, it appears that your insurance does not cover this.
Rigorous, careful, etc. Accurate; precise.
Short.
- Examples
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to cut grass or hair close
Closed, shut.
Usage- Archaic
- Examples
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There is no thinge ſo cloſe / that ſhall not be openned / and no thinge ſo hyd that ſhall not be knowen.
More examples (3)
As the alchymists were assiduous workmen—as they mixed all the metals, salts, &c... and subjected such mixtures to the action of heat in close vessels, their labours were occasionally repaid by the discovery of new substances […]
The arrival of the carriages was the signal for the arrival of the rain. It poured as if it meant to pour all night. With the exception of the doctor, whose gig was waiting for him, the rest of the company went home snugly, under cover, in close carriages.
I mounted into the window-seat: gathering up my feet, I sat cross-legged, like a Turk; and, having drawn the red moreen curtain nearly close, I was shrined in double retirement.
Articulated with the tongue body relatively close to the hard palate.
Usage- of a vowel
With its wings at its side, closed, held near to its body (typically also statant); (of wings) in this posture.
Usage- of a bird
- Examples
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Crest, a cockatrice, wings close, vert, combed and wattled gu.
More examples (1)
Sable, an eagle close or - ROPER, Derby. / Sable, a chevron ermine between three eagles close argent - GAMES, Leicester, granted 1614. / Sable a chevron between three eagles close argent - JERVOISE.
Arms : Azure, a chevron ermine between three cross - crosslets fitchy argent. Crest : An eagle close argent, ducally gorged.
Difficult to obtain.
Usage- Dated
- Examples
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Money is close.
Some of these parties have not paid their last payment, because money was close last fall.
More examples (2)
We are told out West that the reason money is so close now is because so large an amount has been invested in real estate. I cannot understand why that would make any difference if that money has been sent from one section of the country into another for the purpose of buying real estate. Why should it make any difference as to money being close? We are told in the East large amounts have been invested in the large manufacturing plants, such as the steel plants, etc. but if the money has been invested there it has simply changed hands, and why should that make any difference?
But there is reason underlying this confusion: time as well as money is close these days and a small wardrobe of hats can be very boring.
Parsimonious; stingy.
Usage- Dated
- Examples
-
More examples (1)
Yet were these Florentines as self-retired / In hungry pride and gainful cowardice, / As two close Hebrews in that land inspired, / Paled in and vineyarded from beggar-spies; [...]
[...] he was a crusty old fellow, as close as a vice.
More examples (1)
Though a hard-grained man, close, dry, and silent, he can enjoy old wine with the best. He has a priceless bin of port in some artful cellar under the Fields, which is one of his many secrets.
Out of the way of observation; secluded; secret; hidden.
Usage- Obsolete
- Examples
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He yet kept himself close because of Saul.
her close intent
Concise; to the point.
Usage- Archaic
- Examples
-
close reasoning
Where the original is close no version can reach it in the same compass.
Marked, evident.
Adverb
In a close manner (limited contexts; more often closely). So as to leave or create little distance or space between objects.
- Examples
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The car behind was following too close and could not brake in time.
Please stay close together.
In a close manner (limited contexts; more often closely). Carefully, in detail.
- Examples
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Look close at the pictures.
In a close manner (limited contexts; more often closely). In combination (sometimes potentially ambiguous between adverb and adjective).
- Examples
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close-packed, close-knit, close-fitting
Noun
A street that ends in a dead end.
Usage- UK usage
Private fenced land, such as a paddock, orchard or yard, that, along with the common pasture land and woodland, constituted the inarable component of the open-field system of the medieval manor in England.
Usage- Historical
- Examples
-
More examples (2)
To be SOLD, At Mr. PACEY's, the WHITE LION in Nottingham, on Thursday the 28th Day of May, between the Hours of three and six in the Afternoon; THE INHERITANCE in Fee Simple of the MANOR of ALSWORTH, otherwise AWSWORTH, in the County of Nottingham, and also several Messuages and Tenements, with the Closes and Parcels of Land, Meadow, and Pasture Ground thereto belonging,...
By 1765, rapid enclosure was underway in the surrounding area (open fields replaced by the modern system of private fields). By the time of the 1846 ‘Tithe Map and Award’ very little remained of the original agricultural system other than indications in field names, such as Ginn Close, Straw Close, Crab Tree Close, Noble Close, Tinker Close, Laine Close, Hansack Close, Hansacky, Little Hansacky, The Pringle and Dole Meadow. (Note – ‘Close’ meaning an enclosure).
An enclosed field, especially a field enclosed around a (usually religious) building (e.g. a cathedral close).
Usage- Yorkshire
- Archaic
A very narrow alley between two buildings, often overhung by one of the buildings above the ground floor.
Usage- Scotland
The common staircase in a tenement.
Usage- Scotland
- Examples
-
The woman nodded at a nearby flight of steps. 'This is my close. We can talk in here. Come on.'.
closes surrounded by the venerable abodes of deans and canons.
The interest which one may have in a piece of ground, even though it is not enclosed.
Adjective
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
- Antonyms
- Examples
-
close to noon
how close are we to town?
More examples (1)
a close formation of ships
close in relevance or relationship
- Antonyms
- Examples
-
a close family
we are all … in close sympathy with …
More examples (2)
close kin
a close resemblance
not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances
- Examples
-
near neighbors
in the near future
More examples (7)
they are near equals
his nearest approach to success
a very near thing
a near hit by the bomb
she was near tears
she was close to tears
had a close call
rigorously attentive; strict and thorough
- Examples
-
close supervision
paid close attention
More examples (2)
a close study
kept a close watch on expenditures
marked by fidelity to an original
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
a close translation
a faithful copy of the portrait
More examples (1)
a faithful rendering of the observed facts
(of a contest or contestants) evenly matched
- Synonyms
- Examples
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a close contest
a close election
More examples (1)
a tight game
crowded
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
close quarters
lacking fresh air
- Examples
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a dusty airless attic
the dreadfully close atmosphere
More examples (1)
hot and stuffy and the air was blue with smoke
of textiles
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
a close weave
smooth percale with a very tight weave
strictly confined or guarded
- Examples
-
kept under close custody
confined to specific persons
- Examples
-
a close secret
fitting closely but comfortably
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
a close fit
used of hair or haircuts
- Examples
-
a close military haircut
giving or spending with reluctance
- Examples
-
our cheeseparing administration
very close (or near) with his money
More examples (1)
a penny-pinching miserly old man
inclined to secrecy or reticence about divulging information
- Examples
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although they knew her whereabouts her friends kept close about it
Noun
the temporal end; the concluding time
- Examples
-
the stopping point of each round was signaled by a bell
the market was up at the finish
More examples (1)
they were playing better at the close of the season
the last section of a communication
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
in conclusion I want to say …
the concluding part of any performance
- Synonyms
Adverb
near in time or place or relationship
- Examples
-
as the wedding day drew near
stood near the door
More examples (6)
don't shoot until they come near
getting near to the true explanation
her mother is always near
The end draws nigh
the bullet didn't come close
don't get too close to the fire
in an attentive manner
- Examples
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he remained close on his guard
Verb
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Examples
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Close the door
shut the window
become closed
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
The windows closed with a loud bang
cease to operate or cause to cease operating
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Examples
-
The owners decided to move and to close the factory
My business closes every night at 8 P.M.
More examples (1)
close up the shop
finish or terminate (meetings, speeches, etc.)
- Antonyms
- Examples
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The meeting was closed with a charge by the chairman of the board
come to a close
- Synonyms
- Examples
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The concert closed with a nocturne by Chopin
complete a business deal, negotiation, or an agreement
- Examples
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We closed on the house on Friday
They closed the deal on the building
be priced or listed when trading stops
- Broader terms
- Examples
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The stock market closed high this Friday
My new stocks closed at $59 last night
engage at close quarters
- Examples
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close with the enemy
cause a window or an application to disappear on a computer desktop
- Antonyms
change one's body stance so that the forward shoulder and foot are closer to the intended point of impact
- Broader terms
come together, as if in an embrace
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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Her arms closed around her long lost relative
draw near
- Examples
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The probe closed with the space station
bring together all the elements or parts of
- Broader terms
- Examples
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Management closed ranks
bar access to
- Examples
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Due to the accident, the road had to be closed for several hours
fill or stop up
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
Can you close the cracks with caulking?
unite or bring into contact or bring together the edges of
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
close the circuit
close a wound
More examples (2)
close a book
close up an umbrella
finish a game in baseball by protecting a lead
- Examples
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The relief pitcher closed with two runs in the second inning