closed; closing
Definition of close
(Entry 1 of 5)
1a
: 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.
2a
: 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
3a
: 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
1a
: 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.
2a
: 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
6a
: to draw near
The ship was closing with the island.
b
: to engage in a struggle at close quarters : grapple
close with the enemy
close one's doors
close one's eyes to
close ranks
close the door
1
: to refuse admission
The nation closed its doors to immigrants.
2
: to go out of business
The furniture store closed its doors last week.
: to ignore deliberately
Officials closed their eyes to allegations of child abuse at the day care center.
: to unite in a concerted stand especially to meet a challenge
The family closed ranks to protect one of their own.
: to be uncompromisingly obstructive
closed the door to further negotiation
close
adjective
closer; closest
Definition of close (Entry 2 of 5)
1
: being near in time, space, effect, or degree
at close range close to my birthday close to the speed of sound
4a
: 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
5
: decided or won by a narrow margin
a close baseball game
6a
: 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
12
: having no openings : closed
13
: restricted to a privileged class
a close scholarship
b
: secretive
She could tell us something if she would …. But she was as close as wax.— A. Conan Doyle
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
close to home
close to the bone
close to the vest
: within one's personal interests so that one is strongly affected
The speaker's remarks hit close to home.
: within a sensitive or personal area
The criticism cut close to the bone.
: in a reserved or cautious manner
She tends to keep her opinions close to the vest.
close
adverbDefinition of close (Entry 3 of 5)
: 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.
close
noun (1)Definition of close (Entry 4 of 5)
1a
: 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
close
noun (2)Definition of close (Entry 5 of 5)
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
Test Your Vocabulary
Odd Habits and Quirks
-
- Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share close
Time Traveler for close
The first known use of close was in the 13th century
See more words from the same century