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¹close

verb \ˈklōz\

: to move (a door, window, etc.) so that things cannot pass through an opening

: to cover the opening of (something)

: to bring together the parts or edges of (something open)

closedclos·ing

Full Definition of CLOSE

transitive verb

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 : screen, exclude <close a view>

e : to suspend or stop the operations of <close school> —often used with down

archaic : enclose, contain

a : to bring to an end or period <close an account>

b : to conclude discussion or negotiation about <the question is closed>; also : to consummate by performing something previously agreed <close a transfer of real estate title>

c : to terminate access to (a computer file or program)

a : to bring or bind together the parts or edges of <a closed book>

b : to fill up (as an opening)

c : to make complete by circling or enveloping or by making continuous <close a circuit>

d : to reduce to nil <closed the distance to the lead racer>

intransitive verb

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.>

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>

a : to come together : meet

b : to draw the free foot up to the supporting foot in dancing

: to enter into or complete an agreement <close on a deal>

: to come to an end or period <the services closed with a short prayer>

: to reduce a gap <closed to within two points>

— clos·able or close·able \ˈklō-zə-bəl\ adjective

— close one's doors

: to refuse admission <the nation closed its doors to immigrants>

: to go out of business

— close one's eyes to

: to ignore deliberately

— close ranks

: to unite in a concerted stand especially to meet a challenge

— close the door

: to be uncompromisingly obstructive <closed the door to further negotiation>

See close defined for English-language learners

See close defined for kids

Origin of CLOSE

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

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to CLOSE

Synonyms: make [chiefly dialect], shut, steek [chiefly Scottish]

Antonyms: open

Synonym Discussion of CLOSE

close, end, conclude, finish, complete, terminate mean to bring or come to a stopping point or limit. close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished <close a debate>. end conveys a strong sense of finality <ended his life>. conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting) <the service concluded with a blessing>. finish may stress completion of a final step in a process <after it is painted, the house will be finished>. complete implies the removal of all deficiencies or a successful finishing of what has been undertaken <the resolving of this last issue completes the agreement>. terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space <your employment terminates after three months>.

²close

noun \ˈklōz\

Definition of CLOSE

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)

: the conclusion of a musical strain or period : cadence

archaic : a hostile encounter

: the movement of the free foot in dancing toward or into contact with the supporting foot

First Known Use of CLOSE

14th century

³close

noun \ˈklōs, United States also ˈklōz\

Definition of CLOSE

a : an enclosed area

b chiefly British : the precinct of a cathedral

chiefly British

a : a narrow passage leading from a street to a court and the houses within or to the common stairway of tenements

b : a road closed at one end

Origin of CLOSE

Middle English clos, literally, enclosure, from Anglo-French clos, from Latin clausum, from neuter of clausus, past participle

First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with CLOSE

Bose, dose, gross, os

⁴close

adjective \ˈklōs\

: near in space : not far away or distant

: near in time

: very similar : almost the same

clos·erclos·est

Full Definition of CLOSE

: having no openings : closed

a : confined or carefully guarded <close arrest>

b (1) of a vowel : high 13 (2) : formed with the tongue in a higher position than for the other vowel of a pair

: restricted to a privileged class

a : secluded, secret

b : secretive <she could tell us something if she would … but she was as close as wax — A. Conan Doyle>

: strict, rigorous <keep close watch>

: hot and stuffy <a room with an uncomfortably close atmosphere>

: not generous in giving or spending : tight

: having little space between items or units <a close weave> <a close grain>

a : fitting tightly or exactly <a close fit>

b : very short or near to the surface <a close haircut>

: being near in time, space, effect, or degree <at close range> <close to my birthday> <close to the speed of sound>

: intimate, familiar <close friends>

a : 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>

c : terse, compact

: decided or won by a narrow margin <a close baseball game>

: difficult to obtain <money is close>

of punctuation : characterized by liberal use especially of commas

— close·ly adverb

— close·ness noun

— close to home

: within one's personal interests so that one is strongly affected <the speaker's remarks hit close to home>

— close to the bone

: within a sensitive or personal area <the criticism cut close to the bone>

— close to the vest

: in a reserved or cautious manner

See close defined for English-language learners

Origin of CLOSE

Middle English clos, from Anglo-French, from Latin clausus, past participle of claudere

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CLOSE

Synonyms: compact, crowded, dense, jam-packed, packed, serried, thick, tight

Antonyms: airy, loose, open, uncrowded

Synonym Discussion of CLOSE

stingy, close, niggardly, parsimonious, penurious, miserly mean being unwilling or showing unwillingness to share with others. stingy implies a marked lack of generosity <a stingy child, not given to sharing>. close suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions <folks who are very close when charity calls>. niggardly implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible <the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library>. parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead to stinginess <a parsimonious lifestyle notably lacking in luxuries>. penurious implies niggardliness that gives an appearance of actual poverty <the penurious eccentric bequeathed a fortune>. miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness and a morbid pleasure in hoarding <a miserly couple devoid of social conscience>.