verb

close

KLOHZ

verb

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."

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."

To stop operating, whether for the day or permanently.

"The store closes at nine on weekdays."

adj

Near in distance, time, or relationship.

"We live close to the train station."

"She's one of my closest friends."

Almost even or evenly matched.

"It was a close race right up to the finish line."

Tightly confined, packed, or with little space to spare.

"The room felt close and stuffy with all the windows shut."

noun

An ending or conclusion to something.

"The show came to a close just after midnight."

A dead-end street, or a narrow enclosed alley (chiefly British usage).

"They live at number four, just around the close."

How to Use Close

Learner’s notes

In 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

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

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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

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end finale near nearby intimate oppressive

Antonyms

beginning start distant far faraway far off remote aloof

Related Words

achieve kill finish remote finale begin activate leave

Rhymes for close

rose nose lose dose pose Jose hose Bose moose whose goose loose

See all rhymes for close →

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