close
close — verb
1. to move a door, window, lid, or other object that covers an opening so that the
to move a door, window, lid, or other object that covers an opening so that the opening is blocked and nothing can pass through.
Please close the door when you leave the room.
close + door/window/lid — common physical objects
Minho closed his book and put it on the shelf.
The wind made the kitchen door close with a loud bang.
intransitive use — door closes by itself
Gabriela closed the lid of her laptop and stood up.
It was cold outside, so Chidi closed all the windows.
- close the door
- close your eyes
- close the window
- close the lid
- close the book
- close your mouth
- open
to move something so that the opening is no longer blocked
Grammar Patterns
close + object (door/window/lid/book)
close (no object)
Usage Note
Often used with objects such as door, window, lid, mouth, eyes, or book. For containers like boxes or bottles, use 'close the lid'.
Common Mistakes
2. A public venue like a café, library, or similar facility stops admitting visitor
A public venue like a café, library, or similar facility stops admitting visitors, usually at a set time each day or during a holiday period.
The museum closes at six o'clock on weekdays.
close + at [time] — fixed daily closing time
What time does the library close on Saturdays?
The café closes early on Sunday, so let us go before five.
Many restaurants in this area close for a holiday during the summer.
close + for [period] — temporary closure
The supermarket closes at ten o'clock every night.
- close at [time]
- close on [day]
- close for [period]
- close early
- close late
- shut
same meaning, more common in British English: 'the pub shuts at eleven'
- open
to start allowing customers in: 'the shop opens at nine'
Grammar Patterns
close + at [time]
close + on [day]
close + for [period]
Usage Note
Subject is always a place that offers a service or goods to the public (shop, restaurant, bank, library, museum, etc.). Usually intransitive — you say 'the shop closes at 8' not 'the manager closes the shop at 8' (though the transitive form is possible).
Common Mistakes
3. to cause an event, activity, conversation, or process to finish; or to finish on
to cause an event, activity, conversation, or process to finish; or to finish on its own without anyone stopping it.
The manager closed the meeting with a brief summary.
transitive: close + meeting/speech/case
The film closes with a scene of the family having dinner together.
close with [something] — end by doing or showing
Eri closed her speech by thanking the volunteers for their help.
The police closed the case after the suspect confessed.
Talks between the two companies closed without an agreement.
intransitive: talks close without result
- close the meeting
- close a speech
- close the case
- close with [something]
- close a deal
Grammar Patterns
close + with [something]
close + meeting/speech/case
Usage Note
Common in formal contexts such as meetings, speeches, legal cases, festivals, and business talks. Not used for ending personal relationships — use 'end' or 'break up' instead.
Common Mistakes
4. When a business, factory, or public service stops operating and no longer serves
When a business, factory, or public service stops operating and no longer serves customers or produces goods, either for a short period or forever.
The factory closed after thirty years of making furniture.
intransitive: business closes permanently
The bank decided to close its branch in the small town.
transitive: close + branch/office/factory
Many bookshops have closed because people buy books online.
The hospital may close unless the government provides more funds.
After the owner retired last year, the bakery closed for good.
close for good — permanently stop operating
- close a factory
- close a branch
- close the business
- close for good
- close permanently
- close down
- shut down
phrasal verb, common for factories and computers as well
- cease operations
formal, used in official announcements
- go out of business
commonly used for shops and small companies
Grammar Patterns
close + factory/shop/business
close (no object) — business closes
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 2 ('DAILY CLOSING'): sense 2 is about daily hours (the shop closes at 8pm), while this sense is about ceasing to exist as a business. 'Close down' or 'shut down' are common phrasal-verb alternatives.
Common Mistakes
5. to successfully complete a business agreement, sale, or financial arrangement wi
to successfully complete a business agreement, sale, or financial arrangement with another person or company after discussion and negotiation.
The company closed a deal with a new supplier in Taiwan.
close a deal — most common collocation
Anjali closed the sale after the customer agreed to the final price.
The real estate agent closed the contract on the apartment yesterday.
close + contract — used in property and legal contexts
It took three months of talks to close the agreement.
Bilal closed a major deal with a Japanese electronics firm.
- close a deal
- close a sale
- close a contract
- close an agreement
- close a transaction
- negotiate
to discuss terms before reaching a final agreement
Grammar Patterns
close + deal/sale/contract/agreement
Usage Note
Almost always transitive with a business noun as the object (deal, sale, contract, agreement, transaction). Subject is typically a person or organization. Common in real estate, finance, and corporate contexts.
Common Mistakes
6. to shrink the space, gap, or difference separating two things; or to grow less,
to shrink the space, gap, or difference separating two things; or to grow less, bringing things nearer together.
The new programme aims to close the gap between rich and poor students.
close the gap — most common collocation
The leading runner began to close the distance on the one in front.
The difference in their scores closed to just two points.
intransitive: difference closes to [amount]
Teachers are working hard to close the gap in reading levels between classes.
As the two cars closed on each other, the race grew more exciting.
close on [someone/something] — draw near
- close the gap
- close the distance
- close the difference
- close on [someone]
Grammar Patterns
close + the gap/difference/distance
close on + [someone/something]
Usage Note
Most common with 'the gap' as object. 'Close the gap' is used both literally (physical spaces) and figuratively (differences in achievement, wealth, ability). 'Close on' means 'come nearer to' and is intransitive.
7. to make a computer program, document, or window stop appearing on your screen so
to make a computer program, document, or window stop appearing on your screen so that you are no longer working with it
After Eli checked the last row of data, he closed the spreadsheet.
transitive: close + document/spreadsheet
Jisoo always closes her email program before leaving the office.
collocation: close + email program
The photo-editing tool will close automatically when the update finishes.
intransitive: tool/program + close
Before you turn off your computer, close every open document.
Defne closed the browser window after finishing her online order.
collocation: close + browser window
- close a file
- close a window
- close a program
- close an application
- close a tab
- close a document
- open
the reverse action — makes a program, file, or window appear on screen
Grammar Patterns
close + file/program/window
Usage Note
Common in computing contexts. Can be used transitively (close a file) or intransitively (the program closes). 'Close' affects a specific file, program, or window; 'shut down' refers to turning off the entire computer.
Common Mistakes
close down
phrasal verbTo stop operating or functioning permanently.
The factory closed down due to financial problems.
When does the restaurant close down for renovations?
close in
phrasal verbTo move nearer to someone or something, often in a threatening way.
The police closed in on the suspect's hiding place.
As night closed in, the hikers looked for shelter.
close off
phrasal verbTo block an entrance or prevent access to a place.
The city closed off the street for the parade.
Why did they close off the park after dark?
close out
phrasal verbTo sell all of a product, often at a reduced price, or to end something.
The store is closing out its winter coats at half price.
She closed out the meeting with a summary of the key points.
close over
phrasal verbTo cover something completely, often gradually.
The water closed over the sunken ship.
Dark clouds closed over the mountain peak.
close up
phrasal verbTo shut something completely, or to come closer together.
The shop closes up at nine o'clock every evening.
The soldiers closed up their ranks as they marched.
To decide to stop trying to achieve or solve something.
After years of searching, the police closed the book on the missing person case.
Have you closed the book on your dream of becoming a musician?
To make it impossible for something to happen.
The manager closed the door on any further negotiations.
Did she shut the door on a promotion by arguing with the boss?
To stop operating as a business permanently.
The bookstore closed its doors after fifty years of service.
Many small shops closed shop during the economic crisis.
To refuse to consider or accept an idea or possibility.
Don't close your mind to new teaching methods.
Why does he close his mind to any advice from his friends?
close ranks
idiomWhen a group unites to protect itself, especially from criticism.
The team closed ranks after the coach was accused of cheating.
Politicians often close ranks when their party is under attack.
To deliberately not listen to something.
She shut her ears to the gossip about her colleague.
Why do you close your ears to constructive criticism?
To pretend not to notice something unpleasant.
The manager closed his eyes to the safety violations.
You cannot shut your eyes to the rising crime in this area.
To do something very easily, without needing to think.
I can drive to work with my eyes closed.
She could solve that puzzle with her eyes shut.
close — noun
1. the last part of an event, activity, or period of time, when it stops or is cons
the last part of an event, activity, or period of time, when it stops or is considered finished
The movie was exciting right through to the close of the final scene.
the close of [event]
Anjali signed the contract toward the close of the business day.
The charity raised over fifty thousand dollars by the close of the weekend campaign.
by the close of [time period]
As the close of the meeting drew near, Ramón summarized the team's decisions.
- close of play
- close of business
- close of the day
- toward the close
- by the close
- at the close
- end
more general and common; 'close' sounds slightly more formal and often implies a natural finish
- conclusion
more formal; suggests a logical or planned finish rather than a simple stopping point
- finish
more direct; commonly used for races, competitions, and physical tasks
Grammar Patterns
the close of [something]
Usage Note
Frequently used in fixed phrases with 'the' and 'of', such as 'at the close of day' or 'toward the close of the session'. Subject of sentences is often an event, period, or process.
Common Mistakes
2. the point or state at which an activity, process, or situation reaches its end a
the point or state at which an activity, process, or situation reaches its end after continuing for some time
The festival came to a close with a spectacular fireworks display over the lake.
came to a close — idiom for finishing
Hyun worked hard to bring the two-year renovation project to a close before the winter.
bring [project] to a close
As the summer holidays drew to a close, Layla began packing for university.
drew to a close — gradual finish
The investigation was nearing its close when a new piece of evidence appeared.
- come to a close
- bring to a close
- draw to a close
- near its close
- end
more general; lacks the implication of a gradual winding-down that 'close' carries in these phrases
- conclusion
slightly more formal; often implies a decisive or final end
- start
the beginning of the process
Grammar Patterns
bring [something] to a close
come to a close
draw to a close
Usage Note
Almost always appears in fixed verb phrases like 'come to a close', 'bring to a close', or 'draw to a close'. The definite article 'a' (not 'the') is used in these phrases. Distinguish from sense 1 (FINAL PART), which refers to the final section of something rather than the act of finishing.
Common Mistakes
3. the moment in time at which a particular period, such as a working day, a year,
the moment in time at which a particular period, such as a working day, a year, or a season, finishes
All orders received before the close of business will be shipped the same day.
close of business — common business expression
Eve reviewed the stock prices at the market close and noted a steady gain.
By the close of the decade, the small town had built two new schools.
by the close of [decade]
The librarian reminded everyone that the close of the borrowing period was next Friday.
Farmers usually finish harvesting before the close of autumn.
the close of [season]
- close of business
- close of trading
- market close
- close of the year
- close of the season
- opening
the start of a period, especially in business hours or market trading
Grammar Patterns
the close of [time period]
Usage Note
Common in commercial and financial contexts ('close of business', 'market close'). Also used with calendar periods ('close of the year', 'close of the century'). Unlike sense 1, the focus is on the precise time boundary rather than the content of the final part.
Common Mistakes
4. a short street that has houses along it and is blocked off at one end, so cars c
a short street that has houses along it and is blocked off at one end, so cars can only drive in and out from the same opening
The children rode their bikes safely on the close because no through traffic passed by.
Madison lives at number twelve on Lavender Close, just past the old oak tree.
used in street names: [Name] Close
Dario parked his van at the entrance of the close and unloaded the furniture.
The postman delivers mail to every house on the close before lunchtime.
- live on a close
- end of the close
- [Name] Close
- the close
- cul-de-sac
more formal and common in American English; French-derived term
- dead end
more informal; emphasizes that the road has no outlet
Usage Note
Commonly used in British street names, appearing after the street name (e.g., 'Willow Close', 'Park Close'). In American English, 'cul-de-sac' or 'dead end' is more typical. The word is always treated as a countable noun.
Common Mistakes
close — adjective
1. linked by direct family ties, or by strong feelings of shared belief and mutual
linked by direct family ties, or by strong feelings of shared belief and mutual support
Shirin is the bride's close relative and sits in the family section.
close relative — direct family tie
The two communities have built close ties through years of trade and shared traditions.
close ties — shared beliefs or support
Nikos has a close working relationship with the team and talks to them every day.
The Watanabe family stay close and help out whenever someone is in trouble.
stay close to one another — mutual support
- close relative
- close family
- close ties
- close bond
- close relationship
- close friend
- distant
used for family relationships that are not close, or for people who are not emotionally connected
Usage Note
Often used before nouns such as relative, friend, ties, relationship, bond to describe the strength of a connection.
Common Mistakes
2. sharing strong feelings of friendship, knowing one another well, and spending ti
sharing strong feelings of friendship, knowing one another well, and spending time together regularly
Sumin and Padma have been close friends since they were at primary school.
close friends — people who know and like each other
I am still close to several people I met at my old workplace.
close to [someone] — preposition pattern
The two sisters grew very close after travelling around Southeast Asia together.
grow close — become close over time
Kwame is close with his neighbours and often has dinner at their house.
close with [someone] — alternative preposition
- close friend
- close to
- close with
- grow close
- become close
- remain close
- friendly
pleasant and sociable, but may not imply deep familiarity
- intimate
much stronger, suggesting very private and deep friendship; can sound too strong for casual friendship
- tight-knit
used of a group rather than individuals; describes a community or team that sticks together
- distant
emotionally far, not sharing personal feelings or spending time together
Usage Note
Used with the prepositions to or with: close to somebody (more common in BrE) and close with somebody (common in AmE).
Common Mistakes
3. paying very careful and thorough attention when looking at, listening to, or exa
paying very careful and thorough attention when looking at, listening to, or examining something
The detective took a close look at the muddy footprints outside the window.
close look — careful visual examination
The doctor kept the patient under close observation throughout the night.
close observation — monitoring in detail
We need to pay close attention to the instructions before we start the experiment.
João gave the old painting a close inspection before deciding to buy it.
close inspection — detailed checking
- close look
- close attention
- close inspection
- close observation
- close examination
- close watch
- cursory
done quickly with little attention; more formal
Usage Note
Almost always appears before a noun that names an act of perception or examination (look, watch, listen, attention, inspection, observation, reading, study). This sense is not used predicatively.
Common Mistakes
4. not willing to share personal information, feelings, or plans with other people
not willing to share personal information, feelings, or plans with other people
Linh is very close about where she got the money for her new business.
close about [topic] — preposition pattern
The committee kept its decisions close and refused to tell the public anything.
keep something close — keep it secret
My grandmother is a close woman who never talks about her childhood.
Valentina stayed close about her travel plans until the week before she left.
stay close about — remain secretive
- close about
- keep something close
- stay close
- very close
- close-lipped
Usage Note
Followed by about + topic (close about her past) or used in the phrase keep/stay close. Commonly followed by a clause with wh-words (close about what happened).
Common Mistakes
5. if the air or weather is close, it feels uncomfortably warm and still, making it
if the air or weather is close, it feels uncomfortably warm and still, making it difficult to breathe easily
The room was so close that Ilan opened all the windows at once.
It was a hot, close afternoon and nobody wanted to leave the house.
hot, close weather — stuffy atmospheric conditions
The air in the basement felt close and heavy after being shut all winter.
The night was warm and close, with no breeze coming through the windows.
warm and close — typical predicative pattern
- close weather
- close air
- warm and close
- hot and close
- feel close
- close night
- stuffy
more common; emphasises lack of fresh air rather than heat
- muggy
adds the idea of high humidity; less formal
- suffocating
much stronger, suggesting it is hard to breathe at all
Usage Note
Used predicatively (the air is close, it feels close) or with and linking two adjectives (hot and close, warm and close). Not used before a noun in modern English.
Common Mistakes
6. situated very near to something; due to happen soon
situated very near to something; due to happen soon
The bus stop is close to Isabela's house, so she walks there every morning.
close to [place] — spatial nearness
Christmas is close and the children are getting very excited.
close in time — temporal nearness
We found a parking space close to the entrance of the shopping centre.
The supermarket is close enough for us to walk there with the shopping bags.
close enough to — expressing sufficient nearness
- close to
- close enough
- close by
- close at hand
Usage Note
Typically followed by to + noun (close to the station, close to summer). Can also be used with enough (close enough to walk). Not used before a noun when it means 'not far' (*the close house is ungrammatical in this sense).
Common Mistakes
7. positioned with very little space between things or people
positioned with very little space between things or people
The old houses in the village stood close together along the winding street.
collocation: close together for physical proximity
Beatrix sat close to her mother during the thunderstorm.
collocation: sit close to
The chairs were placed so close that nobody could walk between them.
Lien and Zuri stood close together for the photograph.
A row of tall trees grew close to the side of the building.
passive-like: be + past participle + close to
- close together
- stand close
- sit close
- packed close
- close to each other
- near
more general; can refer to time or distance
- adjacent
more formal; means next to or touching
- neighbouring
used for areas or buildings near each other
8. almost the same as something else; having very little difference in value, quali
almost the same as something else; having very little difference in value, quality, or appearance
The final score was close, with only two points separating the teams.
collocation: close score / close result
Eli's painting is close in style to the work of a famous artist.
pattern: close in [noun] to [noun]
The two shades of blue are so close that I cannot tell them apart.
Her translation was close to the original without being word-for-word.
pattern: close to [noun]
The election results were close, and a recount was requested.
- close result
- close match
- close score
- close in style
- close to the original
- similar
broader; close implies almost the same
- comparable
suggests a reasonable likeness rather than near-identity
- near
used in fixed phrases like 'near match' or 'near copy'
Grammar Patterns
close + in + noun
close + to + noun
9. very near to reaching a condition or performing an action; almost happening, esp
very near to reaching a condition or performing an action; almost happening, especially something bad or dramatic
That was a close call — the car nearly hit the bicycle.
idiomatic noun phrase: 'close call'
Kabir was close to tears after hearing the sad news.
pattern: close to [noun] for emotional state
The company came close to shutting down during the economic crisis.
pattern: come close to + gerund
Valentina was close to giving up when she finally found the answer.
The athlete came close to breaking the world record by half a second.
- close to tears
- close to death
- close to giving up
- come close to
- close call
Grammar Patterns
close + to + infinitive
close + to + gerund/noun
Usage Note
Often used in past-tense narratives about events that nearly occurred. Frequently appears in the verb phrase 'come close to + gerund' or with the set noun phrase 'a close call'.
Common Mistakes
10. won or decided by a very small difference in points, votes, or distance, so the
won or decided by a very small difference in points, votes, or distance, so the winner is not clear until the end
The election was a close race decided by fewer than a hundred votes.
collocation: close race
Tariro won the tennis match in a close final set.
collocation: close final / close match
The horse race was close, with the winner crossing the line just ahead.
It was a close contest that kept the audience guessing until the end.
collocation: close contest
The senator won by a close margin in the tightest election of the year.
- close race
- close contest
- close game
- close election
- close match
- close final
- close margin
- landslide
a victory by a very large margin, the opposite of a close win
Grammar Patterns
a close + noun (race/election/contest/game)
Usage Note
This sense is restricted to competitive contexts — elections, sports matches, auctions, and similar contests. It cannot describe objects or people.
11. not willing to spend money or share it with others; unwilling to give or lend
not willing to spend money or share it with others; unwilling to give or lend
Uncle Henrik is so close that he refuses to buy birthday presents.
informal: so close that + clause for extreme stinginess
Zayd's grandfather was close with every penny he earned.
Justin is too close to lend anyone even a small amount of cash.
The landlord was so close that he would not fix the broken heater.
informal: so close that + clause
Being close with money is common among those who grew up poor.
pattern: close with money
- close with money
- close with cash
- too close to spend
- close with every penny
- generous
willing to spend or give freely
- extravagant
spends too much; opposite end of the scale
Grammar Patterns
close + with + noun (money/cash)
Usage Note
This sense is informal and can be slightly rude if used directly about someone. Less harsh alternatives include 'frugal', 'careful with money', or 'tight with money'.
Common Mistakes
Very near to someone or something.
The photographer captured the lion at close quarters.
Fighting at close quarters is extremely dangerous.
at/from close range
idiomFrom a very short distance away.
The hunter shot the deer at close range.
She scored a goal from close range in the final minute.
(close/near) at hand
idiomClose to you in time or distance; easily available.
Help was at hand when the car broke down.
The hotel has a restaurant and a gym close at hand.
close, but no cigar
idiomUsed to say that someone's attempt was almost successful but not quite.
Your guess was close, but no cigar.
He almost won the race, but it was close, no cigar.
a close call/shave
idiomA situation where an accident or disaster is only just avoided.
That was a close call when the truck nearly hit us.
He had a close shave when the ladder slipped.
a close thing
idiomA situation where the result is very uncertain until the end.
The election was a close thing, with only a few votes difference.
We rescued the cat, but it was a close thing.
Very important and personally meaningful to someone.
Education is a cause close to her heart.
The charity work is near to his heart.
close to home
idiomWhen a remark or topic is uncomfortably accurate or personal.
His comments about my laziness hit close to home.
The tragedy struck close to home when our neighbor died.
To watch someone or something very carefully.
Keep a close eye on the soup so it doesn't boil over.
The teacher kept a close watch on the students during the exam.
So near that it makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
The car passed too close for comfort, nearly hitting my bike.
The final score was 3-2, too close for comfort for the winning team.
Physically very close to someone, or getting to know them well.
At the zoo, you can see the giraffes up close and personal.
She got up close and personal with the author during the interview.
close — adverb
1. at a short physical distance from someone or something; not far away in position
at a short physical distance from someone or something; not far away in position
Selim stood close to the stage so he could see the singer clearly.
close to [place] — position near a location
The cat crept close to the bird before pouncing.
Lakshmi's house is close to the train station, only a five-minute walk away.
close to + place noun — measuring distance
Stay close to me in the market so we do not get separated.
The children sat close together on the bench, sharing a blanket.
close together — side by side
- close to
- close together
- close by
- stay close
- come closer
- draw close
Grammar Patterns
close + adv./prep.
close to + noun
Usage Note
Frequently followed by 'to' before a noun phrase. The comparative form 'closer' and the superlative 'closest' are also common.
Common Mistakes
2. very near to reaching a particular state, amount, or condition, without quite do
very near to reaching a particular state, amount, or condition, without quite doing so
Takeshi was close to tears when he heard the sad news.
close to + noun of emotional state
The project is close to completion after months of hard work.
We were close to missing the train because of the traffic jam.
close to + gerund — nearly happened
Astrid came close to winning the race but finished second.
The temperature today is close to forty degrees Celsius.
close to + number — approximate measurement
- close to tears
- close to death
- close to completion
- come close to
- close to being
- close to perfect
- far from
indicates a large gap between the current state and the target
Grammar Patterns
close to + noun
close to + -ing verb
come close to + -ing verb
Usage Note
Commonly followed by 'to' plus a noun phrase or gerund. The verb 'come' is often used before 'close' to emphasise approaching a threshold: 'come close to + -ing'.
Common Mistakes
3. describing a guess, estimate, or description that is almost but not exactly corr
describing a guess, estimate, or description that is almost but not exactly correct
My guess was close to the actual price of the painting.
close to + noun — guess nearly correct
Christopher's estimate of the cost was remarkably close to the final bill.
The weather forecast was close, though it predicted rain a day later.
Her description of the suspect was close enough to help the police.
close enough + to-infinitive — sufficient accuracy
Tendai's calculation was close but not exactly the same as the correct answer.
- close to the truth
- close to the mark
- close enough
- remarkably close
- surprisingly close
- inaccurate
means not correct at all
- off
informal — 'way off' means nowhere near correct
Grammar Patterns
be close to + noun
be close + adjective-free complement
Usage Note
Subject is usually a guess, estimate, description, or comparison. Unlike sense 2 (ALMOST), this sense implies the result is usefully accurate rather than simply near a threshold.
Common Mistakes
4. by a very small amount or margin, especially in a competition, election, race, o
by a very small amount or margin, especially in a competition, election, race, or comparison of performance
The election was so close that the final result took days to confirm.
so close — emphasising very narrow margin
Tamar finished close behind the winner, only a second slower.
The game remained close until the last minute of play.
Adisa's score was close to the best in the class, missing by just two points.
close to + noun — competitive comparison
The two teams are close in ability, with almost identical win records.
- so close
- too close to call
- close race
- close match
- close behind
- close contest
- decisively
by a large margin — the opposite of a narrow result
- easily
with a big gap between competitors
Grammar Patterns
be close (in competition)
come close to + -ing verb (competitive context)
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 2 (ALMOST): this sense describes competitiveness or narrow margins in contests, not general near-achievement. Unlike adjective sense 'NARROW MARGIN', which describes the contest itself, this adverb sense describes the margin by which something occurs.
Common Mistakes
To be almost correct in a guess or statement.
Your estimate was close to the mark, only off by a few dollars.
The journalist's prediction was near the mark.
close at hand
idiomNearby and easily available.
Keep a dictionary close at hand when you write.
The emergency exit is close at hand.
At a short distance from someone or something.
The library is close by the school.
Do you live close by the train station?
close on | close to
idiomAlmost; nearly.
She is close on sixty years old.
The project cost close to a million dollars.
a close-run thing
idiomA competition or election that is won or lost by a very small margin.
The election was a close-run thing, decided by only 100 votes.
The match was a close-run thing, with the winner scoring in the last minute.
From a position very near to something.
The painting looks different when you see it close up.
Can I see the diamond up close?
Very near in space to someone or something.
The dog came close up to the fence.
She stood close up to the stage to see the singer.
To almost reach or achieve something.
He came close to winning the championship.
The team came close to breaking the record.
To keep your plans or ideas secret.
She held her cards close to her chest during the negotiation.
Why do you always keep your cards close to your chest?
To be almost as good, fast, or successful as someone or something else.
The new model runs the old one close in performance.
The challenger ran the champion close in the race.
To take a risk by doing something that is dangerous or nearly illegal.
The company sailed close to the wind with its tax practices.
He sailed close to the wind by lying on his resume.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
'Close' and 'shut' are the most easily confused pair. They overlap completely for physical openings: 'close the door' and 'shut the door' mean the same thing. However, 'shut' cannot be used in several figurative or formal senses — you cannot 'shut a business deal' or 'shut a meeting' the way you can 'close' them. 'Lock' is a hyponym of 'close': locking requires a key or latch mechanism. 'Seal' goes further, implying airtight or watertight closure. For computers, 'close' removes a program from the screen but the program may still run in the background; 'quit' or 'exit' ends the process entirely. In everyday British speech 'shut' is slightly more common for physical objects ('shut the window'), while American English favours 'close' in most contexts. Neither choice sounds unnatural on either side of the Atlantic.
Common collocations
Nouns
- close friend
- close relative
- close call
- close shave
- close range
- close quarters
Adverbs
- close together
- close at hand
- close enough
- too close for comfort
Phrases
- draw to a close
- come to a close
- bring to a close
- close of business
- too close to call
- close at hand
- close to home
Prepositions
- close to
- close by
- close upon
Etymology
The word 'close' comes from two historically separate strands that later merged. The verb and noun senses meaning 'shut' or 'enclosed area' trace back through Old French 'clore' (to shut) and 'clos' (enclosed) to Latin 'claudere' (to close, shut). The adjective and adverb senses meaning 'near' also come from Latin 'clausus' (past participle of 'claudere'), via Old French 'clos'. Over time the two strands fused in English, so that the same word carries both the idea of shutting something and of being near or confined by it.