closes; closed; closing
1
: to move (a door, window, etc.) so that things cannot pass through an opening : shut
Please close the door.
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.
2
: to cover the opening of (something) : shut
Remember to close the box of cereal when you're done.
3
a
: to bring together the parts or edges of (something open)
Please close your books and put them under your desks.
Close your mouth.
Close your eyes and go to sleep.
I closed my fists and got ready to fight.
close an umbrella
This suitcase just won't close!
Her eyes closed, and she drifted off to sleep.
My throat closed and I felt like I couldn't breathe.
b
: to bring together the edges of (a wound) so that it can heal
It took 10 stitches to close the wound on his head.
The cut eventually closed [=closed up, healed over] on its own.
4
: to not allow (a road, park, etc.) to be used for a period of time
The city closed [=closed off] the beach during the storm.
They closed the bridge to traffic. [=they did not allow cars to use the bridge]
The park closes every evening at dusk.
5
a
: to stop the services or activities of (a business, school, etc.) for a period of time
They closed the school today because of the storm.
We'll be closing the theater while we make the necessary repairs.
The store closes for lunch from 1 to 2 p.m.
The airport closed for two hours yesterday due to icy conditions.
The bank closes at noon on Saturdays.
What time does the library close?
b
: to stop the services or activities of (a business, school, etc.) permanently
They closed [=closed down, shut down] the school/factory/office last year.
The restaurant has closed for lack of business.
The play closed [=it stopped being performed] after 112 performances.
6
: to end (something)
The minister closed [=concluded] the services with a short prayer.
She closed the meeting by thanking everyone for their help.
Investigators closed the case after concluding that his death was an accident.
The services closed [=concluded] with a short prayer.
I'd like to close by thanking you all for your help.
7
: to stop keeping money in (an account at a bank)
I closed [=closed out] my savings account and opened up a new one at another bank.
8
: to end the use of (a file, document, or program) on a computer
Remember to save the file before closing it.
9
: to formally accept (an agreement)
They just closed a deal to take ownership of a new restaurant.
the custom of closing a deal by shaking hands
10
: to reach a specified price or level at the end of the day
The stock opened at $19 a share and closed at $22.
Stocks opened weak but closed strong.
11
: to reduce the amount of distance or difference between two things, people, or groups
The challenger has closed [=narrowed] the champion's lead to within two points.
closing the distance to the lead runner
These changes will help close the gap between the richest and the poorest countries.
She has closed to within two points of the champion.
closer; closest
1
: near in space : not far away or distant
We're not there yet, but we're getting close.
We stood close together to stay warm.
—often + toNew York is much closer to Chicago than it is to Los Angeles.
Don't get too close to the fire.
Stay close to me, children!
Let's try to sit close to the front.
The trees were planted in close proximity to [=near] the building.
The gun is made for shooting at close range. [=from a short distance]
We were able to observe their behavior at close quarters. [=from a short distance]
Over 200 people lived in close quarters [=very close together] on the ship.
2
: near in time
Christmas is getting closer and will soon be here.
She had her two children very close together. [=her second child was born soon after her first]
—often + toYou shouldn't snack so close to dinnertime.
It's getting close to midnight.
My birthday is close to Thanksgiving.
3
not used before a noun
: very similar : almost the same
Their daughters are close in age.
close in size and shape
—often + toa sound close to the sound of breaking glass
He bears a close resemblance to his father. [=he looks very much like his father]
4
not used before a noun
: almost correct
"I'd guess that you're 29 years old." "You're close. I'm 30."
It's not exactly right, but it's close.
You're way off! Not even close! [=you are completely wrong]
Note: The informal phrase close but no cigar is used to say that a guess was almost correct or that an effort was almost good enough.
5
a
—used to say that someone or something has almost reached a particular condition —+ to
He was close to death when they brought him to the hospital.
These rare birds are close to extinction.
His reply left her close to tears. [=his reply almost made her cry]
b
: almost doing something
—+ to
She was close to crying.
The bridge came dangerously close to collapsing. [=the bridge almost collapsed]
6
—used to say that something bad almost happened
That was close! We almost missed our plane.
That was a close one. [=close call, close shave]
7
—used to describe the people you are most directly related to (such as your parents, children, sisters, brothers, etc.)
She had no close relatives nearby.
We're only inviting close family members to our wedding.
8
—used to describe people who know each other very well and care about each other very much
They were close friends in high school, but they've since grown apart.
My sister and I have always been very close.
We have a very close relationship.
—often + toWe've always felt very close to each other.
He's very close to his grandparents.
9
: connected in a direct way
Sources close to the president say that he is willing to make a deal.
She stays in close touch/contact with her friends back home.
Authorities claim he has close ties to terrorist organizations.
—sometimes used figurativelyThis idea lies close to the heart of Democracy. [=it has an important connection to Democracy]
Animal rights is a cause that is close to my heart. [=I care very much about animal rights]
10
: very careful, complete, or precise
It's important to pay close attention to the details.
Take a closer look at the evidence.
On closer examination, it appeared that something was missing.
We worked under the close supervision of a trained professional.
a close study of the Greek classics
a close reading of a text
Keep (a) close watch on the baby. = Keep a close eye on the baby. [=watch the baby closely]
11
—used to describe a race, contest, game, etc., in which one person, group, or team defeats the other or is leading the other by only a small amount
That was a close game. We only beat them by one point.
It was the closest election in recent history.
a close race
At this point, the election is too close to call. [=it is not clear who will win]
Note: When you are a close second, there is a small difference between you and the winner.
12
: very short or near to the skin
a close haircut/shave
13
: fitting tightly : having no extra space
I think there's enough room in the car for all of us, but it'll be a close [=tight] fit.
14
: warm in an uncomfortable way : not having enough fresh air
It's very close in here: let's open a window.
closer; closest
: at or to a short distance or time away
Don't drive so close to the car in front of you.
He told me to stay/keep close as we walked through the crowd.
Come close, everyone.
Look close [=closely] and tell me what you see.
She drew me close (to her) and held me.
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.
formal
: the end of an activity or a period of time
Students vote for their favorite teacher at the close of each year.
At the close of trading, the stock market was two percent lower than yesterday.
As the year drew to a close, the debate over the new project grew more intense.
The war finally appears to be coming to a close.
She brought the show to a close with a performance of her most famous song.
ˈkloʊs
plural closes
British
1
: the area and buildings that are around a cathedral
a cathedral close
2
: a road that is closed at one end
—used in street names
Turn into Bloomhill Close.
Cite this Entry
“Close.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/close. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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