Meaning & use
close
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Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
To shut something so that it is no longer open, or to become shut.
Grammar: Pronounced with a z sound; the door closed or she closed the door.
Patterns
- close something
- close the door on something
Please close the window; it's cold.
The shop closes at six on weekdays.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
verbtransitive or intransitive
To end an event, meeting or activity, or to stop operating permanently.
Grammar: Used for businesses, accounts and discussions.
Patterns
- close down
- close a meeting
The factory will close next year.
He closed the meeting with a short thank-you.
The bank closed her account.
adjectivecomparable
Not far away in distance or time.
Grammar: Pronounced with a s sound /kləʊs/ in this sense; often followed by 'to'.
Patterns
- close to something
- close by
The station is close to my house.
The two houses are close together.
Our deadline is getting close.
adjectivecomparable
Having a strong bond of friendship or family connection.
Grammar: Pronounced /kləʊs/; used with 'to': close to her sister.
Patterns
- be close to someone
- a close friend
She is very close to her grandmother.
They have been close friends since school.
He keeps a close circle of relatives.
adjectivecomparable
Almost equal, so that either side could win.
Grammar: Used for contests and results.
Patterns
- a close race
- a close call
It was a close match until the final minute.
The election was too close to call.
That was a close call; we nearly missed the train.
Word forms
| third person singular | closes |
|---|---|
| past tense | closed |
| past participle | closed |
| -ing form | closing |
| comparative | closer |
| superlative | closest |
Common combinations
- close the door
- Close the door quietly, please.
- close a deal
- They hope to close the deal on Friday.
- close friend
- He is a close friend of mine.
- close call
- It was a close call at the crossing.
- close down
- The mill had to close down.
- close attention
- Pay close attention to the instructions.
Synonyms and how they differ
- shut
- Shut is more informal and abrupt, while close is the neutral general word.
- seal
- Seal means closing so tightly that nothing passes, more than close.
- conclude
- Conclude means to end formally, mostly for speeches and talks.
- near
- Near is the adjective for short distance, a plainer partner to the adjective close.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: close or clothes? close or closet?
close vs clothes
Clothes sounds like the verb close but means garments.
close vs closet
A closet is a cupboard, unrelated to shutting.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'close' with the z sound?
Choose one answer.
As a verb meaning to shut, close is pronounced with a z sound. In the adjective uses it takes a s sound.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “close”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.