closed; closing
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
: to suspend or stop the operations of
close school
—often used with down They closed down the factory.
2
a
: to bring to an end or period
close an account
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
The question is closed.
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
a closed book
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
close a circuit
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 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
close on a deal
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
close with the enemy
closer; closest
1
: being near in time, space, effect, or degree
at close range
close to my birthday
close to the speed of sound
4
5
: decided or won by a narrow margin
a close baseball game
6
a
: very short or near to the surface
a close haircut
b
: fitting tightly or exactly
a close fit
7
: confined or carefully guarded
close quarters
close arrest
8
: having little space between items or units
a close weave
a close grain
9
: hot and stuffy
a room with an uncomfortably close atmosphere
10
: difficult to obtain
Money is close.
11
: not generous in giving or spending : tight
… a close buyer and a good marketer.—
W. A. White
W. A. White12
: having no openings : closed
13
: restricted to a privileged class
a close scholarship
14
15
a
of a vowel
: high sense 13
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
closely
adverb
closeness
noun
: 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
1
a
chiefly British
: the precinct (see precinct sense 2a) of a cathedral
b
: an enclosed area
2
chiefly British
a
: a road closed at one end
b
: a narrow passage leading from a street to a court and the houses within or to the common stairway of tenements
Synonyms
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Noun (1)
- arrest
- arrestment
- cease
- cessation
- check
- closedown
- closure
- conclusion
- cutoff
- discontinuance
- discontinuation
- end
- ending
- expiration
- finish
- halt
- lapse
- offset
- shutdown
- shutoff
- stay
- stop
- stoppage
- surcease
- termination
Noun (2)
Example Sentences
Verb
We had better close the windows; it looks like it's going to rain.
I forgot to close the gate.
She was having trouble closing the drawer.
Close the lid on the box tightly.
The door opened and closed so quietly that I didn't notice he had come in the room.
The box's lid closed with a bang.
Remember to close the box of cereal when you're done.
Please close your books and put them under your desks.
Close your eyes and go to sleep.
I closed my fists and got ready to fight.
Adjective
We're not there yet, but we're getting close.
We stood close together to stay warm.
Christmas is getting closer and will soon be here.
Their daughters are close in age.
close in size and shape
Adverb
Don't drive so close to the car in front of you.
He told me to stay close as we walked through the crowd.
The time for a decision is drawing closer.
My teammate came in third, and I finished close behind.
They sat close together at the dinner table.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebAdam Sabes, Fox News, 17 May 2023
Later this year, Netflix will close the DVD business that bootstrapped it into a company that has a bigger market valuation ($148 billion as of May 9) than Sony, Warner Bros. Discovery or Paramount.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 17 May 2023
Residents in the 17100 block of West Adlon Road were advised to stay inside with all points of access closed due to a reported raging bee swarm in the area, according to local news outlet ABC-7.
—Alexis Jones, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023
Biden cut short an upcoming overseas trip in hopes of closing an agreement before a June 1 deadline.
—Lisa Mascaro, Fortune, 17 May 2023
One of the biggest amendments closed loopholes to discourage students from transferring to one school to another because of suspension or other disciplinary action in hopes the punishments wouldn’t apply at their new school.
—James Weber, The Enquirer, 16 May 2023
Walmart is closing 20 stores in 11 states, including Chicago-area stores.
—Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 16 May 2023
The transfer portal window closed last Thursday, and no new Beavers entering the portal.
—Ndaschel, oregonlive, 16 May 2023
There were messages from the government: Stay indoors, close the curtains, do not stand by the windows.
—Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2023
Joey Hayden, Dallas News, 18 May 2023
Plank Jack How to: Start in a high plank position with hands under shoulders and feet close together.
—Andi Breitowich, Women's Health, 18 May 2023
Given the high mortality rates throughout the life span, Black people are more likely than white people to be grieving the death of a close family member at any point in their lives.
—Liz Szabo, Anchorage Daily News, 17 May 2023
Looking at the Soviet Union, their advantages were in numbers and in their close approach to Germany, the famous Fulda Gap.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 May 2023
This year’s Southeast Asian Games are coming to a close today in Cambodia.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 17 May 2023
Hunter Grafton, Abington — Grafton kept his scoring tear alive, burying five goals and an assist for the Green Wave in a close 12-11 win over Rockland and exploding for eight goals while facilitating eight assists in a dominant win over East Bridgewater.
—Zachary Lyons, BostonGlobe.com, 17 May 2023
Their closest relatives that still live today include sponges, sea anemones and comb jellies.
—Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 17 May 2023
After close examination, conservators found that a lapdog was originally included in Picasso's painting Le Moulin de la Galette, but was later painted out.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023
Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 17 May 2023
Stock markets generally have taken the conflict in stride but have been more volatile in recent days as the deadline has drawn closer.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 17 May 2023
Watch Bridgers and Burnham appear to get close behind an oblivious Urban below.
—Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 16 May 2023
Hartselle’s Ginger Heath, playing as a n individual, was close behind a 2-under 70.
—Al.com Reports, al, 16 May 2023
The tournament concluded with thunderclaps drawing closer and a wet Jason and pregnant Ellie and their kids watching from inside the clubhouse as Eckroat’s 46-foot eagle putt missed, clinching victory for Day.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas News, 15 May 2023
Most persistent and heaviest activity may end by midnight, but showers or even a period of light rain could continue closer toward dawn.
—A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 15 May 2023
The Red Sox closer received one warning, then was charged with two quick-pitch violations resulting in automatic balls — the last resulting in Contreras being awarded with a walk, a critical development that contributed to a three-run Cardinals rally for a 4-3 win at Fenway.
—Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2023
Still, Stone and Roan remained close throughout his childhood.
—Tabitha Britt, Peoplemag, 11 May 2023
Brian Amaral, BostonGlobe.com, 15 May 2023
Euphoria There are three weeks left before the 2022-23 high school sports spring season comes to a close.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2023
But behind the scenes, several core aspects of America’s pandemic-era emergency safety net are also coming to a close, from extra food assistance to automatic re-enrollment in Medicaid.
—Ashraf Khalil, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2023
Meier opened the scoring at 5:58, stuffing a puck past Andersen from in close.
—Tom Canavan, ajc, 8 May 2023
As its sixth episode draws to an emotional close, viewers may be wondering if there's more to come from the Queen Charlotte story.
—Erica Gonzales, ELLE, 8 May 2023
The gain was pretty impressive as the advance-decline ratios were strongly positive in early trading and stayed that way through the close.
—Tom Aspray, Forbes, 7 May 2023
Coinbase shares, which dropped 56% over the past year amid a dropoff in trading, surged 8% after hours to about $52 after a Thursday close at $49.
—Marco Quiroz-gutierrez, Fortune Crypto, 4 May 2023
Zephyr said her attorneys are unlikely to appeal the ruling since the legislative session is coming to a close.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 3 May 2023
See More
Verb
According to the airport, the upper departures drive was temporarily closed.
—Adam Sabes, Fox News, 17 May 2023
Later this year, Netflix will close the DVD business that bootstrapped it into a company that has a bigger market valuation ($148 billion as of May 9) than Sony, Warner Bros. Discovery or Paramount.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 17 May 2023
Residents in the 17100 block of West Adlon Road were advised to stay inside with all points of access closed due to a reported raging bee swarm in the area, according to local news outlet ABC-7.
—Alexis Jones, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023
Biden cut short an upcoming overseas trip in hopes of closing an agreement before a June 1 deadline.
—Lisa Mascaro, Fortune, 17 May 2023
One of the biggest amendments closed loopholes to discourage students from transferring to one school to another because of suspension or other disciplinary action in hopes the punishments wouldn’t apply at their new school.
—James Weber, The Enquirer, 16 May 2023
Walmart is closing 20 stores in 11 states, including Chicago-area stores.
—Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 16 May 2023
The transfer portal window closed last Thursday, and no new Beavers entering the portal.
—Ndaschel, oregonlive, 16 May 2023
There were messages from the government: Stay indoors, close the curtains, do not stand by the windows.
—Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2023
Adjective
Of those still standing, the next closest point producers are Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk with 16 points (5 goals, 11 assists) and Vegas’ Jack Eichel at 14 points (6 goals, 8 assists).
—Joey Hayden, Dallas News, 18 May 2023
Plank Jack How to: Start in a high plank position with hands under shoulders and feet close together.
—Andi Breitowich, Women's Health, 18 May 2023
Given the high mortality rates throughout the life span, Black people are more likely than white people to be grieving the death of a close family member at any point in their lives.
—Liz Szabo, Anchorage Daily News, 17 May 2023
Looking at the Soviet Union, their advantages were in numbers and in their close approach to Germany, the famous Fulda Gap.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 May 2023
This year’s Southeast Asian Games are coming to a close today in Cambodia.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 17 May 2023
Hunter Grafton, Abington — Grafton kept his scoring tear alive, burying five goals and an assist for the Green Wave in a close 12-11 win over Rockland and exploding for eight goals while facilitating eight assists in a dominant win over East Bridgewater.
—Zachary Lyons, BostonGlobe.com, 17 May 2023
Their closest relatives that still live today include sponges, sea anemones and comb jellies.
—Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 17 May 2023
After close examination, conservators found that a lapdog was originally included in Picasso's painting Le Moulin de la Galette, but was later painted out.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023
Adverb
As vice president, Biden saw up close how domestic politics can complicate foreign policy during the 2013 government shutdown.
—Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 17 May 2023
Stock markets generally have taken the conflict in stride but have been more volatile in recent days as the deadline has drawn closer.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 17 May 2023
Watch Bridgers and Burnham appear to get close behind an oblivious Urban below.
—Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 16 May 2023
Hartselle’s Ginger Heath, playing as a n individual, was close behind a 2-under 70.
—Al.com Reports, al, 16 May 2023
The tournament concluded with thunderclaps drawing closer and a wet Jason and pregnant Ellie and their kids watching from inside the clubhouse as Eckroat’s 46-foot eagle putt missed, clinching victory for Day.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas News, 15 May 2023
Most persistent and heaviest activity may end by midnight, but showers or even a period of light rain could continue closer toward dawn.
—A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 15 May 2023
The Red Sox closer received one warning, then was charged with two quick-pitch violations resulting in automatic balls — the last resulting in Contreras being awarded with a walk, a critical development that contributed to a three-run Cardinals rally for a 4-3 win at Fenway.
—Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2023
Still, Stone and Roan remained close throughout his childhood.
—Tabitha Britt, Peoplemag, 11 May 2023
Noun
In November, just before the general election came to a close, many of the same people broke ground on a new concert venue nearby.
—Brian Amaral, BostonGlobe.com, 15 May 2023
Euphoria There are three weeks left before the 2022-23 high school sports spring season comes to a close.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2023
But behind the scenes, several core aspects of America’s pandemic-era emergency safety net are also coming to a close, from extra food assistance to automatic re-enrollment in Medicaid.
—Ashraf Khalil, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2023
Meier opened the scoring at 5:58, stuffing a puck past Andersen from in close.
—Tom Canavan, ajc, 8 May 2023
As its sixth episode draws to an emotional close, viewers may be wondering if there's more to come from the Queen Charlotte story.
—Erica Gonzales, ELLE, 8 May 2023
The gain was pretty impressive as the advance-decline ratios were strongly positive in early trading and stayed that way through the close.
—Tom Aspray, Forbes, 7 May 2023
Coinbase shares, which dropped 56% over the past year amid a dropoff in trading, surged 8% after hours to about $52 after a Thursday close at $49.
—Marco Quiroz-gutierrez, Fortune Crypto, 4 May 2023
Zephyr said her attorneys are unlikely to appeal the ruling since the legislative session is coming to a close.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 3 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'close.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun (1)
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
Adjective
Middle English clos, from Anglo-French, from Latin clausus, past participle of claudere — see close entry 1
Noun (2)
Middle English clos, literally, enclosure, from Anglo-French clos, from Latin clausum, from neuter of clausus, past participle
First Known Use
Verb
13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 12
Adverb
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun (2)
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b
Time Traveler
The first known use of close was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing close
Dictionary Entries Near close
Cite this Entry
“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/close. Accessed 1 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
close
1 of 5 verb
closed; closing
1
a
: to move so as to prevent passage through something
close the gate
b
: to block against passage
close a street
2
: to stop the operations of
close school early
—often used with down
3
: to bring or come to an end or conclusion
close a deal
the meeting closed with a song
close the computer program
4
: to bring together the parts or edges of
a closed fist
close the book
5
a
: to draw near
the second-place runner was closing fast
b
: to engage in a struggle at close quarters
close with the enemy
closer
noun
close
2 of 5 noun
: the point at which something ends
close
3 of 5 noun
: an enclosed area
close
4 of 5 adjective
closer; closest
1
: having no openings : closed
2
a
: hidden from sight
b
: not open or frank : secretive
3
: rigorous sense 1
keep close watch
4
: hot and stuffy
5
: not generous : stingy
close with money
6
: having little space between items or units
flying in close formation
7
: fitting tightly or exactly
8
: very short or near the surface
a close haircut
9
: being near in time, space, effect, or degree
10
: having a strong liking each one for the other
a close friend
11
: very precise and attentive to details
close measurements
a close observer
12
: decided by a narrow margin
a close race
closely
adverb
closeness
noun
close
5 of 5 adverb
: in a close position or manner
Legal Definition
close
1 of 2 verb
closed; closing
1
: to bring to an end or to a state of completion
closed the case
close an estate by liquidating its assets
closing his account
2
: to conclude discussion or negotiation about
also
: to bring to completion by performing something previously agreed
closing a merger
close the property sale
1
: to enter into or complete an agreement (as for the sale of real estate)
they closed on the house
2
: to come to an end or to a state of completion
after the class closes, the trust shall continue…until the death of the last surviving member of the class—Louisiana Revised Statutes
Louisiana Revised Statutesclose
2 of 2 noun
: an enclosed area
break another's close
More from Merriam-Webster on close
Nglish: Translation of close for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of close for Arabic Speakers
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