close

⁴close

adj \ˈklōs\

clos·erclos·est

Definition of CLOSE

1

: having no openings : closed

2

a : confined or carefully guarded <close arrest> b (1) of a vowel : high 13 (2) : formed with the tongue in a higher position than for the other vowel of a pair

3

: restricted to a privileged class

4

a : secluded, secret b : secretive <she could tell us something if she would … but she was as close as wax — A. Conan Doyle>

5

: strict, rigorous <keep close watch>

6

: hot and stuffy <a room with an uncomfortably close atmosphere>

7

: not generous in giving or spending : tight

8

: having little space between items or units <a close weave> <a close grain>

9

a : fitting tightly or exactly <a close fit> b : very short or near to the surface <a close haircut>

10

: being near in time, space, effect, or degree <at close range> <close to my birthday> <close to the speed of sound>

11

: intimate, familiar <close friends>

12

a : very precise and attentive to details <a close reading> <a close study> b : marked by fidelity to an original <a close copy of an old master> c : terse, compact

13

: decided or won by a narrow margin <a close baseball game>

14

: difficult to obtain <money is close>

15

of punctuation : characterized by liberal use especially of commas

— close·ly adverb

— close·ness noun

— close to home

: within one's personal interests so that one is strongly affected <the speaker's remarks hit close to home>

— close to the bone

: within a sensitive or personal area <the criticism cut close to the bone>

— close to the vest

: in a reserved or cautious manner

Examples of CLOSE

1. We're not there yet, but we're getting close.
2. We stood close together to stay warm.
3. Christmas is getting closer and will soon be here.
4. Their daughters are close in age.
5. close in size and shape

Origin of CLOSE

Middle English clos, from Anglo-French, from Latin clausus, past participle of claudere

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CLOSE

Synonyms: compact, crowded, dense, jam-packed, packed, serried, thick, tight

Antonyms: airy, loose, open, uncrowded

Related Words: crammed, jammed, overcrowded; crushed, massed, pressed, squeezed, wall-to-wall; airtight, snug; compacted, compressed, condensed, congested; firm, hard, solid; impenetrable, impermeable, impervious

Near Antonyms: commodious, roomy, spacious

see all synonyms and antonyms

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