transitive verb
1
a
: to move so as to bar passage through something
b
: to block against entry or passage
c
: to deny access to
The city closed the beach.
d
: to suspend or stop the operations of
—often used with down They closed down the factory.
2
a
: to bring to an end or period
closed his football career with an outstanding big bowl performance Investigators closed the case after concluding that his death was accidental.
b
: to terminate access to (a computer file or program)
Remember to save the file before closing it.
c
: to conclude discussion or negotiation about
also
: to consummate (see consummate entry 2 sense 2) by performing something previously agreed
close a transfer of real estate title
3
a
: to bring or bind together the parts or edges of
b
: to reduce to nil
closed the distance to the lead racer
c
: to fill up (something, such as an opening)
close the cracks with plaster of paris
d
: to make complete by circling or enveloping or by making continuous
intransitive verb
1
a
: to contract, fold, swing, or slide so as to leave no opening
b
: to cease operation
The stores close at 9 p.m.
2
a
: to come together : meet
The jaws of the vise closed.
b
: to draw the free foot up to the supporting foot in dancing
3
: to come to an end or period
The services closed with a short prayer.
4
: to enter into or complete an agreement
5
: to reduce a gap
closed to within two points
6
a
: to draw near
The ship was closing with the island.
b
: to engage in a struggle at close quarters : grapple
1
: being near in time, space, effect, or degree
close to the speed of sound
4
a
: very precise and attentive to details
b
: marked by fidelity to an original
a close copy of an old master
c
: terse, compact
… his exact, close, sober classical style …—
Edmund Wilson
5
: decided or won by a narrow margin
6
a
: very short or near to the surface
b
: fitting tightly or exactly
7
: confined or carefully guarded
8
: having little space between items or units
9
: hot and stuffy
a room with an uncomfortably close atmosphere
11
: not generous in giving or spending : tight
… a close buyer and a good marketer.—
W. A. White
13
: restricted to a privileged class
14
b
: secretive
She could tell us something if she would …. But she was as close as wax.—
A. Conan Doyle
15
b
: formed with the tongue in a higher position than for the other vowel of a pair
Italian has a close and an open e.
16
of punctuation
: characterized by liberal use especially of commas
: in a close position or manner
Don't drive so close to the car in front of you. Look close and tell me what you see. They sat close together on the bench.
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)
At the close of his speech, he thanked his supporters.
2
: the conclusion of a musical strain or period : cadence
Following the close of the symphony, the audience rose and applauded.
3
: the movement of the free foot in dancing toward or into contact with the supporting foot
4
archaic
: a hostile encounter
2
chiefly British
b
: a narrow passage leading from a street to a court and the houses within or to the common stairway of tenements
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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