close-up

1 of 2

noun

1
: a photograph or movie shot taken at close range
2
: an intimate view or examination of something

close-up

2 of 2

adverb or adjective

: at close range

Examples of close-up in a Sentence

Adverb or adjective come over here and get a close-up view of the painting
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
One showed close-up marks on his forehead, while the other was a past photo of surgical staples on his stomach. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025 Dua Lipa's new diamante floral manicure is also still in keeping with the manicure she was spotted wearing in Paris in May, which featured a pink nude base and a strategic placement of tiny silver stars (see slide 18 for a close-up snap). Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 29 June 2025
Adverb or adjective
The first glimpse was a close-up shot of the tats, while the second showed the tattoo artist and Damon smiling post-ink session. Tracey Harrington McCoy, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2023 She’s introduced in motion and in close-up, during a hallway scuffle shot in a documentary-like style with handheld camera, available light and jumpy editing. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for close-up

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb Or Adjective

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of close-up was in 1913

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Close-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/close-up. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

close-up

noun
ˈklōs-ˌəp
: a photograph or movie shot taken at close range

More from Merriam-Webster on close-up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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