close

¹close

verb \ˈklōz\

closedclos·ing

Definition of CLOSE

transitive verb

1

a : to move so as to bar passage through something <close the gate>

b : to block against entry or passage <close a street>

c : to deny access to <the city closed the beach>

d : screen, exclude <close a view>

e : to suspend or stop the operations of <close school> —often used with down

2

archaic : enclose, contain

3

a : to bring to an end or period <close an account>

b : to conclude discussion or negotiation about <the question is closed>; also : to consummate by performing something previously agreed <close a transfer of real estate title>

c : to terminate access to (a computer file or program)

4

a : to bring or bind together the parts or edges of <a closed book>

b : to fill up (as an opening)

c : to make complete by circling or enveloping or by making continuous <close a circuit>

d : to reduce to nil <closed the distance to the lead racer>

intransitive verb

1

a : to contract, fold, swing, or slide so as to leave no opening <the door closed quietly>

b : to cease operation <the factory closed down> <the stores close at 9 p.m.>

2

a : to draw near <the ship was closing with the island>

b : to engage in a struggle at close quarters : grapple <close with the enemy>

3

a : to come together : meet

b : to draw the free foot up to the supporting foot in dancing

4

: to enter into or complete an agreement <close on a deal>

5

: to come to an end or period <the services closed with a short prayer>

6

: to reduce a gap <closed to within two points>

— clos·able or close·able \ˈklō-zə-bəl\ adjective

— close one's doors

1

: to refuse admission <the nation closed its doors to immigrants>

2

: to go out of business

— close one's eyes to

: to ignore deliberately

— close ranks

: to unite in a concerted stand especially to meet a challenge

— close the door

: to be uncompromisingly obstructive <closed the door to further negotiation>

Examples of CLOSE

1. We had better close the windows; it looks like it's going to rain.
2. I forgot to close the gate.
3. She was having trouble closing the drawer.
4. Close the lid on the box tightly.
5. The door opened and closed so quietly that I didn't notice he had come in the room.
6. The box's lid closed with a bang.
7. Remember to close the box of cereal when you're done.
8. Please close your books and put them under your desks.
9. Close your eyes and go to sleep.
10. I closed my fists and got ready to fight.

Origin of CLOSE

Middle English, from Anglo-French clos-, stem of clore, from Latin claudere to shut, close; perhaps akin to Greek kleiein to close — more at clavicle

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to CLOSE

Synonyms

make [chiefly dialect], shut, steek [chiefly Scottish]

Antonyms

open

Related Words

bar, batten (down), bolt, chain, fasten, latch, lock; plug, seal, stopper; secure; bang, clap, slam

Near Antonyms

unbar, unbolt, unchain, unfasten, unlatch, unlock, unseal

Synonym Discussion of CLOSE

close, end, conclude, finish, complete, terminate mean to bring or come to a stopping point or limit. close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished <close a debate>. end conveys a strong sense of finality <ended his life>. conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting) <the service concluded with a blessing>. finish may stress completion of a final step in a process <after it is painted, the house will be finished>. complete implies the removal of all deficiencies or a successful finishing of what has been undertaken <the resolving of this last issue completes the agreement>. terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space <your employment terminates after three months>.

²close

noun \ˈklōz\

Definition of CLOSE

1

a : a coming or bringing to a conclusion <at the close of the party>

b : a conclusion or end in time or existence : cessation <the decade drew to a close>

c : the concluding passage (as of a speech or play)

2

: the conclusion of a musical strain or period : cadence

3

archaic : a hostile encounter

4

: the movement of the free foot in dancing toward or into contact with the supporting foot

First Known Use of CLOSE

14th century

³close

noun \ˈklōs, United States also ˈklōz\

Definition of CLOSE

1

a : an enclosed area

b chiefly British : the precinct of a cathedral

2

chiefly British

a : a narrow passage leading from a street to a court and the houses within or to the common stairway of tenements

b : a road closed at one end

Origin of CLOSE

Middle English clos, literally, enclosure, from Anglo-French clos, from Latin clausum, from neuter of clausus, past participle

First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with CLOSE

Bose, dose, gross, os

⁴close

adjective \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 Synonym Discussion at stingy

⁵close

adverb \ˈklōs\

Definition of CLOSE

: in a close position or manner

Examples of CLOSE

1. Don't drive so close to the car in front of you.
2. He told me to stay close as we walked through the crowd.
3. The time for a decision is drawing closer.
4. My teammate came in third, and I finished close behind.
5. They sat close together at the dinner table.

First Known Use of CLOSE

15th century

Related to CLOSE

Synonyms

around, by, near, hard, in, nearby, nigh

Related Words

hereabouts (or hereabout), hereaway (or hereaways) [dialect], thereabouts (also thereabout); along, alongside; accessibly, conveniently, handily

Close

biographical name \ˈklōz, commonly ˈklōs\

Definition of CLOSE

Chuck 1940–     Charles Thomas Close Am. painter