From Middle English closen (“to close, enclose”), partly continuing (in altered form) earlier Middle English clusen (“to close”) from Old English clȳsan (“to close, shut”); compare beclose, foreclose, etc.), and partly derived from Middle English clos (“close, shut up, confined, secret”, adjective), from Old French clos (“close, confined”, adjective), from Latin clausus (“shut up”, past participle), from claudō (“to bar, block, close, enclose, bring an end to, confine”), from Proto-Indo-European *kleh₂w- (“key, hook, nail”), related to Latin clāvis (“key, deadbolt, bar”), clāvus (“nail, peg”), claustrum (“bar, bolt, barrier”), claustra (“dam, wall, barricade, stronghold”). Cognate with Ancient Greek κλείω (kleíō), κλείς (kleís, “bar, bolt, key”), Russian заключи́ть (zaključítʹ) (via ключ (ključ)), German schließen (“to close, conclude, lock”), Dutch sluiten (“to close, conclude, lock”). Partially replaced Old English lūcan (“to close, lock, enclose”), (whence English lock). Doublet of clause.
Meanings
An end or conclusion.
His long and troubled life was drawing to a close. 1878, Thomas Babington Macaulay, “Francis Atterbury”, in Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition:
We owe them our thanks for bringing the project to a successful close.
The manner of shutting; the union of parts; junction.
The doors of plank were; their close exquisite. 1614–1615, Homer, “(please specify the book number)”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., Homer’s Odysses. […], London: […] Rich[ard] Field [and William Jaggard], for Nathaniell Butter, published 1615, →OCLC; republished in The Odysseys of Homer, […], volume (please specify the book number), London: John Russell Smith, […], 1857, →OCLC:
(qualifier:sales) The point at the end of a sales pitch when the consumer is asked to buy.
Regardless of the situation, the minute you feel it's time for the close, try it. 1983, Charles B. Roth, Roy Alexander, Secrets of Closing Sales, page 110:
A grapple in wrestling.
The intestine shocke, And furious cloze of ciuill Butchery. c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
The conclusion of a strain of music; cadence.
At every close she made, the attending throng / Replied, and bore the burden of the song. 1700, [John] Dryden, “The Flower and the Leaf: Or, The Lady in the Arbour. A Vision.”, in Fables Ancient and Modern; […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
A double bar marking the end.
The time when check-in staff will no longer accept passengers for a flight.
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closes
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lexicographic
Antonyms
start (antonym(s) of “end”) · beginning (antonym(s) of “end”)
ja 終止 (music: cadence) · bg завършек (end or conclusion) · ko 클로징 (sales: closing stage of a sales pitch) · fr fin (end or conclusion) · ckb کۆتایی (end or conclusion) · it fine (end or conclusion) · es cierre (end or conclusion) · ja チェックイン締め切り時間 (aviation, travel: check-in cutoff time) · pt fechamento (end or conclusion) · ja 終わり (end or conclusion) · ko 끝 (end or conclusion) · la clausula (end or conclusion) · ru заверше́ние (end or conclusion) · pt conclusão (end or conclusion) · ja クロージング (sales: closing stage of a sales pitch) · ko 체크인 마감 시간 (aviation, travel: check-in cutoff time) · gl peche (end or conclusion) · fi maali (end or conclusion) · mi mutunga (end or conclusion) · ru оконча́ние (end or conclusion) · bg закриване (end or conclusion) · bg край (end or conclusion) · ja 終止線 (music: final double bar) · fr conclusion (end or conclusion) · sw funga (end or conclusion) · fr achèvement (end or conclusion) · gl conclusión (end or conclusion) · fi loppu (end or conclusion) · mi whakaotinga (end or conclusion) · sv slut (end or conclusion) · ko 끝세로줄 (music: final double bar) · fi päätös (end or conclusion) · es fin (end or conclusion) · es conclusión (end or conclusion) · it conclusione (end or conclusion) · ko 종지 (music: cadence) · ru закры́тие (end or conclusion)
From Middle English closen (“to close, enclose”), partly continuing (in altered form) earlier Middle English clusen (“to close”) from Old English clȳsan (“to close, shut”); compare beclose, foreclose, etc.), and partly derived from Middle English clos (“close, shut up, confined, secret”, adjective), from Old French clos (“close, confined”, adjective), from Latin clausus (“shut up”, past participle), from claudō (“to bar, block, close, enclose, bring an end to, confine”), from Proto-Indo-European *kleh₂w- (“key, hook, nail”), related to Latin clāvis (“key, deadbolt, bar”), clāvus (“nail, peg”), claustrum (“bar, bolt, barrier”), claustra (“dam, wall, barricade, stronghold”). Cognate with Ancient Greek κλείω (kleíō), κλείς (kleís, “bar, bolt, key”), Russian заключи́ть (zaključítʹ) (via ключ (ključ)), German schließen (“to close, conclude, lock”), Dutch sluiten (“to close, conclude, lock”). Partially replaced Old English lūcan (“to close, lock, enclose”), (whence English lock). Doublet of clause.
Meanings
(ambitransitive, physical) To remove or block an opening, gap or passage through. ▸ To move a thing, or part of a thing, nearer to another so that the gap or opening between the two is removed.
If I close my eyes I can see Marie today as I saw her then. Round, rosy face, snub nose, dark hair piled up in a chignon. 1977, Agatha Christie, chapter 2, in An Autobiography, part II, London: Collins, →ISBN:
What deep wounds ever closed without a scar? 1816, Lord Byron, “Canto III”, in Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage. Canto the Third, London: […] [F]or John Murray, […], →OCLC, stanza LXXXIV:
Jim closed his eyes and reclined back in his chair.
Close the door behind you when you leave.
The runner in second place is closing the gap on the leader.
to close the ranks of an army
Many flowers close at night.
(physical, transitive) To remove or block an opening, gap or passage through. ▸ To obstruct or block.
They closed the road for the festival.
Ice has closed the channel to shipping.
(intransitive, physical) To remove or block an opening, gap or passage through. ▸ To become denser or more crowded with objects.
As we penetrated further, the forest closed around us.
(figuratively, intransitive, physical, transitive) To remove or block an opening, gap or passage through. ▸ To make or become unreceptive.
He has closed his mind to new ideas.
(intransitive, of valve or damper, physical, qualifier:gas and liquid flow, transitive) To remove or block an opening, gap or passage through. ▸ To move to a position preventing fluid from flowing.
(intransitive, of a switch, physical, qualifier:fuse or circuit breaker, transitive) To remove or block an opening, gap or passage through. ▸ To move to a position allowing electricity to flow.
(physical) To remove or block an opening, gap or passage through. ▸ To grapple; to engage in close combat.
1856-1858, William H. Prescott, History of the Reign of Phillip II
They boldly closed in a hand-to-hand contest.
(especially, intransitive, physical, transitive) To remove or block an opening, gap or passage through. ▸ To angle (a club, bat or other hitting implement) downwards and/or (for a right-hander) anticlockwise of straight.
(transitive) To finish. ▸ To end or conclude.
One frugal supper did our studies close. 1693, Decimus Junius Juvenalis, John Dryden, transl., “[The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis.] The Fifth Satyr”, in The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis. Translated into English Verse. […] Together with the Satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson […], →OCLC:
The committee chairman made a few concluding remarks and then closed the session.
to close a bargain; to close a course of instruction
If these brief lays, of Sorrow born,
Were taken to be such as closed
Grave doubts and answers here proposed,
Then these were such as men might scorn: […] 1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XLVII”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 70:
(intransitive) To finish. ▸ To finish; to come to an end.
The debate closed at six o'clock.
(ergative) To finish. ▸ To conclude (a sale).
(transitive) To finish. ▸ To perform as the final act at (a show etc.).
Nirvana closed the festival.
(qualifier:pitching, transitive) To finish. ▸ To make the final outs, usually three, of a game.
He has closed the last two games for his team.
(transitive) To finish. ▸ To cancel or reverse (a trading position).
(transitive) To make or become non-operational or unavailable for use. ▸ To put out of use or operation.
We are closing the phone lines at 9 pm.
Your account has been closed because of non-payment.
They closed the airport because of a bomb scare.
(intransitive) To make or become non-operational or unavailable for use. ▸ To cease operation or cease to be available.
Our options are closing fast.
Phone lines will close in ten minutes.
(intransitive, of a business, qualifier:market etc.) To make or become non-operational or unavailable for use. ▸ To cease trading for the day, or permanently.
The FTSE 100 closed up 1.2%.
The supermarket closes at eight o'clock.
Lots of shops in the town centre have closed because of the recession.
(intransitive) To make or become non-operational or unavailable for use. ▸ To do the tasks (putting things away, locking doors, etc.) required to prepare a store or other establishment to shut down for the night.
Whoever closed last night forgot to turn off the closet light.
(ergative) To make or become non-operational or unavailable for use. ▸ To terminate an application, window, file or database connection, etc.
This app has a bug: when you try to sort a large spreadsheet, it closes.
Close the file when you have finished reading data.
(Cyprus, Philippines, Quebec, qualifier:Greece) To make or become non-operational or unavailable for use. ▸ To turn off; to switch off.
Please close the lights, the (electric) fan, the TV.
(figuratively) To come or gather around; to enclose.
The depth closed me round about. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Jonah 2:5:
But now Thou dost Thyself immure and close / In some one corner of a feeble heart; / Where yet both Sinne and Satan, Thy old foes, / Do pinch and straiten Thee, and use much art / To gain Thy thirds' and little part. 1633, George Herbert, The Church:
To have a vector sum of 0; that is, to form a closed polygon.
fi tiivistää (to make smaller) · ja 取り囲む (figuratively: surround; enclose) · ko 종결하다 (put an end to) · io klozar (move (a door)) · is loka (move (a door)) · nds tomoken (move (a door)) · hi समाप्ति (put an end to) · tyv хаар (move (a door)) · pl zamknąć (move (a door)) · bn বন্ধ করা (obstruct (an opening)) · ja 閉合する (surveying: to have a vector sum of 0) · sh zatvoriti (obstruct (an opening)) · eo fermi (put an end to) · ms menutup (obstruct (an opening)) · eu itxi (move (a door)) · rm sarrar (obstruct (an opening)) · pt terminar (put an end to) · az örtmək (move (a door)) · he סָגַר (put an end to) · nds sluten (move (a door)) · ln ziba (obstruct (an opening)) · lv aiztaisīt (move (a door)) · oc barrar (move (a door)) · el κλείνω (obstruct (an opening)) · qu wicgai (obstruct (an opening)) · nl afsluiten (put an end to) · frr slütj (obstruct (an opening)) · fr conclure (to make a sale) · mn хаах (move (a door)) · lv aiztaisīt (obstruct (an opening)) · bg затва́рям (obstruct (an opening)) · bni kanga (obstruct (an opening)) · ru заверши́ть (put an end to) · mi whakamoe (bring one's eyelids together) · fr boucher (obstruct (an opening)) · pt encerrar (put an end to) · gl pechar (move (a door)) · ro finisa (put an end to) · ga dún (obstruct (an opening)) · vi đóng (obstruct (an opening)) · sw funga (put an end to) · tr örtmek (move (a door)) · uk стуля́ти (bring one's eyelids together) · yue 瞇埋 /眯埋 (bring one's eyelids together) · lv aizdarīt (move (a door)) · it chiudere (put an end to) · ja 閉じる (bring one's eyelids together) · ta குறை (to make smaller) · ta மூடு (move (a door)) · pt concluir (put an end to) · hy փակել (obstruct (an opening)) · th ปิด (move (a door)) · nds tomaken (move (a door)) · swb uɓala (move (a door)) · ja 閉じる (computing: terminate an application, window, file, etc.) · id tutup (move (a door)) · be зачыні́ць (move (a door)) · mt għalaq (obstruct (an opening)) · ms menutup (move (a door)) · sk zatvárať (obstruct (an opening)) · af toemaak (obstruct (an opening)) · scn chiùjiri (obstruct (an opening)) · dlm seruar (obstruct (an opening)) · es clausurar (obstruct (an opening)) · pl zamykać (move (a door)) · sv stänga (move (a door)) · ja 閉じる (engineering: of a valve or damper, prevent fluid from flowing) · pri tärî (obstruct (an opening)) · es cerrar (move (a door)) · ga deireadh a chur ar (put an end to) · ee tu (move (a door)) · kix thòng (obstruct (an opening)) · jv nutup (obstruct (an opening)) · ru закры́ть (obstruct (an opening)) · cmn 關閉 /关闭 (move (a door)) · az qapamaq (obstruct (an opening)) · bg приклю́чвам (put an end to) · no lukke (move (a door)) · ja 手仕舞う (finance: close out a trading position) · bg закри́вам (put an end to) · vec sarar (obstruct (an opening)) · qu wichq'ay (move (a door)) · cs zavřít (move (a door)) · chr ᎠᏍᏚᎲᏍᎦ (move (a door)) · fi ummistaa (bring one's eyelids together) · cmn 關閉 /关闭 (obstruct (an opening)) · be зачыня́ць (move (a door)) · sc serrai (obstruct (an opening)) · lo ປິດ (obstruct (an opening)) · nl beëindigen (put an end to) · th หลับ (bring one's eyelids together) · fi kaventaa (to make smaller) · ar قَفَّل (obstruct (an opening)) · ta சாத்து (move (a door)) · fi päättää (put an end to) · as বন্ধ কৰা (obstruct (an opening)) · ro închide (obstruct (an opening)) · war tapuson (put an end to) · az bağlamaq (move (a door)) · fi ummistaa (obstruct (an opening)) · fr conclure (put an end to) · ko 끝내다 (put an end to) · it chiudere (move (a door)) · is ljúka (put an end to) · fi sulkea (bring one's eyelids together) · nrf freunmer (move (a door)) · af sluit (obstruct (an opening)) · mt agħlaq (move (a door)) · ru зака́нчивать (put an end to) · la claudō (move (a door)) · he סָגַר (obstruct (an opening)) · nl sluiten (obstruct (an opening)) · uk заплю́щувати (bring one's eyelids together) · nds slüten (move (a door)) · rm serrer (obstruct (an opening)) · cs zavírat (obstruct (an opening)) · ta முடி (to make a sale) · is loka (bring one's eyelids together) · yue 閂 /闩 (obstruct (an opening)) · arz قفل (obstruct (an opening)) · ckb داخستن (move (a door)) · nds slüten (obstruct (an opening)) · tyv хаап каар (move (a door)) · yi פֿאַרמאַכן (obstruct (an opening)) · mt temm (put an end to) · oc sarrar (obstruct (an opening)) · chr ᏓᎦᏔᏍᏗᎭ (bring one's eyelids together) · fr clore (put an end to) · br serriñ (move (a door)) · fi päättää (kauppa) (to make a sale) · gd dùin (move (a door)) · mww kaw (obstruct (an opening)) · oc tampar (move (a door)) · it accorciare (to make smaller) · tr kapatmak (move (a door)) · de beenden (put an end to) · hy փակել (move (a door)) · pl zamknąć (obstruct (an opening)) · arz قفل (move (a door)) · fr terminer (put an end to) · sl zapreti (obstruct (an opening)) · my ပိတ် (obstruct (an opening)) · es concluir (to make a sale) · uk зачини́ти (move (a door)) · crh capmaq) (obstruct (an opening)) · pt fechar (put an end to) · az bağlamaq (put an end to) · az son qoymaq (put an end to) · sq mbyll (obstruct (an opening)) · ceb sira (obstruct (an opening)) · ko 둘러싸다 (figuratively: surround; enclose) · de schließen (obstruct (an opening)) · hu becsuk (obstruct (an opening)) · ug يۇمماق (obstruct (an opening)) · rm serrar (obstruct (an opening)) · vi nhắm (bring one's eyelids together) · om cufuu (obstruct (an opening)) · ja 終了する (put an end to) · th ปิด (obstruct (an opening)) · sid cufa (obstruct (an opening)) · ar أَغْلَقَ (obstruct (an opening)) · ko 닫다 (engineering: of a valve or damper, prevent fluid from flowing) · sk zavrieť (obstruct (an opening)) · ko 막다 (obstruct (an opening)) · be зачыня́ць (obstruct (an opening)) · vi đóng (move (a door)) · nl verkleinen (to make smaller) · hu becsuk (move (a door)) · ia concluder (put an end to) · lt uždaryti (move (a door)) · fr fermer (move (a door)) · sc serrare (obstruct (an opening)) · fi panna umpeen (obstruct (an opening)) · bn বন্ধ করা (bring one's eyelids together) · scn jùjiri (obstruct (an opening)) · sw funga (to make smaller) · si වහනවා (obstruct (an opening)) · fi pienentää (to make smaller) · scn chiùriri (obstruct (an opening)) · kk жабу (obstruct (an opening)) · gl pechar (bring one's eyelids together) · gl pechar (obstruct (an opening)) · es acercarse (to make smaller) · sk zavrieť (move (a door)) · bg приклю́ча (put an end to) · fi lopettaa (put an end to) · te ముగించు (put an end to) · dlm inseruor (obstruct (an opening)) · cy cau (move (a door)) · tl sara (move (a door)) · uk зачини́ти (obstruct (an opening)) · ko 닫다 (computing: terminate an application, window, file, etc.) · uz yopmoq (obstruct (an opening)) · ia terminar (put an end to) · lt uždaryti (obstruct (an opening)) · lv aizdarīt (obstruct (an opening)) · ta மூடு (bring one's eyelids together) · tk ýapmak (obstruct (an opening)) · ar أَغْلَقَ (move (a door)) · ar سَكَّر (obstruct (an opening)) · ja 切る (turn off; switch off) · bg затва́рям (move (a door)) · fi panna kiinni (move (a door)) · cmn 關上 /关上 (move (a door)) · ko 마치다 (put an end to) · es achicar (to make smaller) · ru закрыва́ть (put an end to) · ja 閉める (move (a door)) · nrf finni (put an end to) · fi kiristää (to make smaller) · es acortar (to make smaller) · pl zamknąć (put an end to) · fr fermer (bring one's eyelids together) · sk zatvoriť (move (a door)) · ko 끄다 (turn off; switch off) · nds sluten (obstruct (an opening)) · es concluir (put an end to) · fur sierâ (obstruct (an opening)) · bn বন্ধ করা (move (a door)) · lv aizvērt (move (a door)) · wal gordda (turn off; switch off) · de zumachen (bring one's eyelids together) · km បិទ (obstruct (an opening)) · cmn 閉 /闭 (move (a door)) · tzm ⵇⵇⵏ (move (a door)) · de verkleinern (to make smaller) · lo ອັດ (obstruct (an opening)) · pl zamykać (obstruct (an opening)) · ne बन्द गर्नु (obstruct (an opening)) · sh затворити (move (a door)) · nds dichtmaken (move (a door)) · pl zamykać (put an end to) · wal gordda (computing: terminate an application, window, file, etc.) · hy փակել (put an end to) · sg funga (obstruct (an opening)) · de schließen (move (a door)) · de schließen (put an end to) · lb schléissen (move (a door)) · ru сократи́ть (to make smaller) · ko 청산하다 (finance: close out a trading position) · af toemaak (move (a door)) · cs zavřít (obstruct (an opening)) · sw funga (move (a door)) · de zumachen (obstruct (an opening)) · ja 瞑る (bring one's eyelids together) · oc tancar (obstruct (an opening)) · uz bekitmoq (obstruct (an opening)) · az yummaq (bring one's eyelids together) · ca concloure (to make a sale) · vec serar (obstruct (an opening)) · ta முடக்கு (obstruct (an opening)) · az qısaltmaq (to make smaller) · sw funga (surveying: to have a vector sum of 0) · fi laittaa kiinni (move (a door)) · de schließen (bring one's eyelids together) · ru закрыва́ть (move (a door)) · ne बन्द गर्नु (move (a door)) · es cerrar (obstruct (an opening)) · uga 𐎒𐎂𐎗 (obstruct (an opening)) · ia clauder (put an end to) · et sulgema (move (a door)) · mbb lipezeng (bring one's eyelids together) · tk örtmek (obstruct (an opening)) · gl pechar (computing: terminate an application, window, file, etc.) · oc tancar (move (a door)) · ota یوممق (obstruct (an opening)) · sk zatvárať (move (a door)) · nds slüten (put an end to) · ja 閉ざす (figuratively: make or become unreceptive) · fi laittaa umpeen (obstruct (an opening)) · sv stänga (obstruct (an opening)) · hi बंद करना (obstruct (an opening)) · yue 關 /关 (move (a door)) · cmn 關 /关 (move (a door)) · fi sulkea (move (a door)) · nds sluten (put an end to) · mn ᠬᠠᠭᠠᠬᠤ (move (a door)) · yi שליסן (obstruct (an opening)) · sv avsluta (put an end to) · da lukke (move (a door)) · ko 좁히다 (to make smaller) · yi שליסן (move (a door)) · ga iaigh (bring one's eyelids together) · ru закры́ть (move (a door)) · grc κλείω (obstruct (an opening)) · ka დაკეტვა (obstruct (an opening)) · uk закрива́ти (obstruct (an opening)) · ast zarrar (obstruct (an opening)) · he עָצַם (bring one's eyelids together) · ko 닫다 (move (a door)) · fi sulkea (obstruct (an opening)) · ta பூட்டு (move (a door)) · ca tancar (obstruct (an opening)) · no lukke (bring one's eyelids together) · it terminare (put an end to) · rm sarar (obstruct (an opening)) · he סָגַר (move (a door)) · ka დახურვა (move (a door)) · tr kitlemek (move (a door)) · ga dún (bring one's eyelids together) · kab mdel (move (a door)) · nap nzerrà (obstruct (an opening)) · ru зако́нчить (put an end to) · th งับ (move (a door)) · de zumachen (move (a door)) · ln fúnga (obstruct (an opening)) · fi myydä (to make a sale) · fi sulkea (put an end to) · hu lehuny (bring one's eyelids together) · ko 폐합하다 (surveying: to have a vector sum of 0) · ca tancar (to make a sale) · es terminar (put an end to) · sh zatvoriti (move (a door)) · ur بند کرنا (move (a door)) · te మూయు (move (a door)) · uk зачиня́ти (obstruct (an opening)) · tr kapatmak (obstruct (an opening)) · no avslutte (put an end to) · hi मूँदना (bring one's eyelids together) · pt cerrar (move (a door)) · ko 끝나다 (to come to an end) · cs zavírat (move (a door)) · es cerrar (to make a sale) · cmn 關 /关 (obstruct (an opening)) · be зачыні́ць (obstruct (an opening)) · war sarhi (move (a door)) · da lukke (obstruct (an opening)) · ja 狭める (to make smaller) · ur بند کرنا (obstruct (an opening)) · pms fermé (obstruct (an opening)) · fr mettre fin à (put an end to) · th หุบ (move (a door)) · ja 縮める (to make smaller) · mi whakaoti (put an end to) · ro termina (put an end to) · nrf freunmer (obstruct (an opening)) · it concludere (to make a sale) · es correr (move (a door)) · de abschließen (to make a sale) · sga íadaid (obstruct (an opening)) · az bağlamaq (obstruct (an opening)) · rup ncljid (obstruct (an opening)) · et sulgema (obstruct (an opening)) · id menutup (obstruct (an opening)) · rm serrar (move (a door)) · da afslutte (put an end to) · sl zapréti (move (a door)) · lv slēgt (put an end to) · nl dichtdoen (move (a door)) · ta முடி (put an end to) · ga dún (move (a door)) · nl sluiten (bring one's eyelids together) · hu befejez (put an end to) · fo loka (obstruct (an opening)) · tpi pasim (obstruct (an opening)) · fi sulkeutua (surveying: to have a vector sum of 0) · ko 성사시키다 (to make a sale) · sk zatvoriť (obstruct (an opening)) · yi שליסן (put an end to) · sh затворити (obstruct (an opening)) · scn chiùdiri (obstruct (an opening)) · sw funga (obstruct (an opening)) · ta முடக்கு (put an end to) · mi pā (move (a door)) · tr kapatmak (put an end to) · ota اورتمك (move (a door)) · cy cau (obstruct (an opening)) · ja 成約する (to make a sale) · es cerrar (put an end to) · qu wisq'ay (obstruct (an opening)) · no stenge (obstruct (an opening)) · fr fermer (obstruct (an opening)) · rm finir (put an end to) · ms pejam (bring one's eyelids together) · it concludere (put an end to) · ln kanga (obstruct (an opening)) · wal gordda (move (a door)) · lb zoumaachen (move (a door)) · ee xe (obstruct (an opening)) · ta மூடு (obstruct (an opening)) · gl rematar (put an end to) · ja 終える (put an end to) · eo fini (put an end to) · gl terminar (put an end to) · da lukke (bring one's eyelids together) · mk за́твори (obstruct (an opening)) · ka დახურვა (obstruct (an opening)) · es tapar (obstruct (an opening)) · la claudō (obstruct (an opening)) · crh qapatmaq (obstruct (an opening)) · war sadhi (move (a door)) · pt fechar (obstruct (an opening)) · fi kuroa (obstruct (an opening)) · fa بستن (obstruct (an opening)) · nds dichtmoken (move (a door)) · te మూయు (obstruct (an opening)) · fo steingja (obstruct (an opening)) · ami 'edef (move (a door)) · ext afechal (obstruct (an opening)) · fi tehdä kaupat (to make a sale) · zdj ufunya (bring one's eyelids together) · ja 塞ぐ (obstruct (an opening)) · ru сокраща́ть (to make smaller) · sw funga (to make a sale) · ru закры́ть (put an end to) · ia clauder (move (a door)) · sd بَندِ ڪَرَڻُ (obstruct (an opening)) · ko 줄이다 (to make smaller) · az azaltmaq (to make smaller) · ko 감다 (bring one's eyelids together) · ca acabar (put an end to) · eu itxi (obstruct (an opening)) · pt fechar (move (a door)) · fr finir (put an end to) · ca cloure (obstruct (an opening)) · ota قاپامق (obstruct (an opening)) · eo fermi (move (a door)) · az qapatmaq (put an end to) · cmn 閉 /闭 (obstruct (an opening)) · pms saré (obstruct (an opening)) · no stenge (move (a door)) · mi whakamutu (put an end to) · tg пӯшидан (obstruct (an opening)) · nap nchiurè (obstruct (an opening)) · cy cau (bring one's eyelids together) · it chiudere (to make a sale) · fa بستن (move (a door)) · uk зачиня́ти (move (a door)) · mnc ᠶᠠᡴᠰᡳᠮᠪᡳ (move (a door)) · ro închide (move (a door)) · sv sluta (bring one's eyelids together) · cmn 閉上 /闭上 (bring one's eyelids together) · gl pór fin (put an end to) · oc barrar (obstruct (an opening)) · ru закрыва́ть (obstruct (an opening)) · mn хаах (obstruct (an opening)) · ko 닫다 (figuratively: make or become unreceptive) · hi बंद करना (move (a door)) · ja 終わる (to come to an end) · id tutup (put an end to) · ltg dataiseit (obstruct (an opening)) · es finalizar (put an end to) · az örtmək (obstruct (an opening)) · fr clore (obstruct (an opening)) · ln zipa (obstruct (an opening)) · tg бастан (obstruct (an opening)) · ru заверша́ть (put an end to) · it chiudere (obstruct (an opening)) · it ridurre (to make smaller) · uk закри́ти (obstruct (an opening)) · fo lata aftur (obstruct (an opening)) · is loka (obstruct (an opening)) · ky жапуу (obstruct (an opening)) · nl dichten (obstruct (an opening))
Borrowed from French clos, from Latin clausum, participle of claudō.
Meanings
Having little difference or distance in place, position, or abstractly; see also close to. ▸ At little distance; near in space or time.
[…] St. Bede's at this period of its history was perhaps the poorest and most miserable parish in the East End of London. Close-packed, crushed by the buttressed height of the railway viaduct, rendered airless by huge walls of factories, it at once banished lively interest from a stranger's mind and left only a dull oppression of the spirit. 1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter VII, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
Christmas is getting close.
Is your house close?
Having little difference or distance in place, position, or abstractly; see also close to. ▸ Almost, but not quite (getting to an answer, goal, or other state); near.
We were so close to winning!
No, but you were close.
Finance is seldom romantic. But the idea of peer-to-peer lending comes close. This is an industry that brings together individual savers and lenders on online platforms. Those that want to borrow are matched with those that want to lend. 2013 June 1, “End of the peer show”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8838, page 71:
She wasn't quite in tears but she was close.
(in particular) Having little difference or distance in place, position, or abstractly; see also close to. ▸ Almost resulting in disaster.
Phew! That was close!
Having little difference or distance in place, position, or abstractly; see also close to. ▸ Nearly equal; almost evenly balanced; almost exactly matching.
His face is a close fit with the artist's impression.
It was a close contest.
Their ages are quite close.
Having little difference or distance in place, position, or abstractly; see also close to. ▸ Adhering strictly to a standard or original; exact or nearly so.
a close translation; a close copy
Having little difference or distance in place, position, or abstractly; see also close to. ▸ Intimate or immediate in personal relationship.
My brother and I were close when we were younger, but not so much now.
For Christmas we just had a few close relatives round.
a close colleague; a close ally
He is a close friend.
Having little difference or distance in place, position, or abstractly; see also close to. ▸ Involving a tight connection; involving frequent communication, shared or cooperative activity, etc.
We have a close affiliation with the college.
I keep in close contact with my former colleagues.
Having little difference or distance in place, position, or abstractly; see also close to. ▸ Nearing orgasm.
(qualifier:archaic outside certain phrases) Compressed, restricted, constrained, etc. ▸ Physically narrow or confined.
[...] he took to wondering what possible temptation could have induced a dingy-looking fly that was crawling over his pantaloons, to come into a close prison, when he had the choice of so many airy situations [...] 1836 March – 1837 October, Charles Dickens, chapter 41, in The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1837, →OCLC:
a close alley; close quarters; close confines
Compressed, restricted, constrained, etc. ▸ Tight, with little space separating components or elements.
For this job it's best to use wood with a close grain.
These trousers are a close fit.
Compressed, restricted, constrained, etc. ▸ Strictly confined; carefully guarded.
He was captured and kept a close prisoner.
Compressed, restricted, constrained, etc. ▸ Tightly restricted in availability.
His lawyers have so far kept this information close.
The pregnancy was a close secret.
Compressed, restricted, constrained, etc. ▸ Of a corporation or other business entity, closely held.
Compressed, restricted, constrained, etc. ▸ Oppressive; without motion or ventilation; causing a feeling of lassitude.
He sighed drowsily. The atmosphere of the auction room was close; you weren't allowed to smoke; and altogether he was beginning to regret that he had come. 1921, P. G. Wodehouse, chapter X, in Indiscretions of Archie:
1907, Algernon Blackwood, The Dance of Death …the artificial light and close air of his high office stool …
If the rooms be low-roofed, or full of windows and doors, the one maketh the air close, [...] and the other maketh it exceeding unequal. 1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “(please specify the page, or |century=I to X)”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC:
(Ireland, UK) Compressed, restricted, constrained, etc. ▸ Hot, humid, with no wind.
(archaic) Compressed, restricted, constrained, etc. ▸ Dense; solid; compact.
The golden globe being put into a press, [...] the water made itself way through the pores of that very close metal. 1689 (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. […], London: […] Eliz[abeth] Holt, for Thomas Basset, […], →OCLC:
Rigorous, careful, etc. ▸ Attentive; undeviating; strict.
I must acknowledge that hitherto I have discover’d no other way to keep our Thoughts cloſe to their Buſineſs, but the endeavouring as much as we can, and by frequent Attention and Application, getting the habit of Attention and Application. a. 1705, John Locke, “Of the Conduct of the Understanding”, in Posthumous Works of Mr. John Locke: […], London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], published 1706, →OCLC, page 90:
The patient was kept under close observation.
Keep a close eye on him.
Rigorous, careful, etc. ▸ Carefully done, detailed.
Unfortunately, on close reading of the Ts and Cs, it appears that your insurance does not cover this.
This issue merits close examination.
Rigorous, careful, etc. ▸ Accurate; precise.
Short.
to cut grass or hair close
(archaic) Closed, shut.
The arrival of the carriages was the signal for the arrival of the rain. It poured as if it meant to pour all night. With the exception of the doctor, whose gig was waiting for him, the rest of the company went home snugly, under cover, in close carriages. 1868, Wilkie Collins, The Moonstone:
There is no thinge ſo cloſe / that ſhall not be openned / and no thinge ſo hyd that ſhall not be knowen. 1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, Matthew x:[26], folio xiij, verso:
I mounted into the window-seat: gathering up my feet, I sat cross-legged, like a Turk; and, having drawn the red moreen curtain nearly close, I was shrined in double retirement. 1847 October 16, Currer Bell [pseudonym; Charlotte Brontë], chapter I, in Jane Eyre. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: Smith, Elder, and Co., […], →OCLC:
As the alchymists were assiduous workmen—as they mixed all the metals, salts, &c... and subjected such mixtures to the action of heat in close vessels, their labours were occasionally repaid by the discovery of new substances […] 1830, Thomas Thomson (chemist), The History of Chemistry, volume 1, pages 30–31:
(of a vowel) Articulated with the tongue body relatively close to the hard palate.
(of a bird) With its wings at its side, closed, held near to its body (typically also statant); (of wings) in this posture.
Crest, a cockatrice, wings close, vert, combed and wattled gu. 1780, Joseph Edmondson, A Complete Body of Heraldry:
Sable, an eagle close or - ROPER, Derby. / Sable, a chevron ermine between three eagles close argent - GAMES, Leicester, granted 1614. / Sable a chevron between three eagles close argent - JERVOISE. 1894, Henry Gough, James Parker, A Glossary of Terms Used in Heraldry, page 215:
Arms : Azure, a chevron ermine between three cross - crosslets fitchy argent. Crest : An eagle close argent, ducally gorged. 1902, Lincoln's Inn (London, England), The Records of the Honorable Society of Lincoln's Inn, page 458:
(dated) Difficult to obtain.
But there is reason underlying this confusion: time as well as money is close these days and a small wardrobe of hats can be very boring. 1965, Country Life - Volume 137, page 326:
We are told out West that the reason money is so close now is because so large an amount has been invested in real estate. I cannot understand why that would make any difference if that money has been sent from one section of the country into another for the purpose of buying real estate. Why should it make any difference as to money being close? We are told in the East large amounts have been invested in the large manufacturing plants, such as the steel plants, etc. but if the money has been invested there it has simply changed hands, and why should that make any difference? 1903, Gunton's Magazine of American Economics and Political Science, page 249:
Some of these parties have not paid their last payment, because money was close last fall. 1886, “Leases of Lands in the Indian Territory”, in United States Congressional Serial Set, volume 2362, page 184:
Money is close.
(dated) Parsimonious; stingy.
Yet were these Florentines as self-retired / In hungry pride and gainful cowardice, / As two close Hebrews in that land inspired, / Paled in and vineyarded from beggar-spies; [...] 1820, John Keats, “Isabella; or, The Pot of Basil. A Story from Boccaccio.”, in Lamia, Isabella, the Eve of St. Agnes, and Other Poems, London: […] [Thomas Davison] for Taylor and Hessey, […], →OCLC, stanza XVII, page 57:
[...] he was a crusty old fellow, as close as a vice. 1837, Nathaniel Hawthorne, “Mr. Higginbotham's Catastrophe”, in Twice-Told Tales, volume I:
Though a hard-grained man, close, dry, and silent, he can enjoy old wine with the best. He has a priceless bin of port in some artful cellar under the Fields, which is one of his many secrets. 1852 March – 1853 September, Charles Dickens, Bleak House, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1853, →OCLC:
(obsolete) Out of the way of observation; secluded; secret; hidden.
He yet kept himself close because of Saul. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Chronicles 12:1:
her close intent 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto I”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 57:
(archaic) Concise; to the point.
close reasoning
Where the original is close no version can reach it in the same compass. 1690, John Dryden, Translations (Preface)
Marked, evident.
Forms
Spelling
Features
Labels
Source
closest
Degree=Sup
lexicographic
closer
Degree=Cmp
lexicographic
Antonyms
faraway · distant (antonym(s) of) · far · far off · open (antonym(s) of “articulated with the tongue body relatively close to the hard palate”) · aloof (antonym(s) of “intimate”) · distant (antonym(s) of “intimate”) · cool (antonym(s) of “intimate”) · remote
acw قَرِيب (at little distance) · gd faisg (at little distance) · ro aproape (at little distance) · tr yakın (intimate) · fi läheinen (intimate) · ms dekat (at little distance) · hy մոտ (at little distance) · vi gần (at little distance) · tg наздик (at little distance) · ru бли́зкий (at little distance) · lo ໃກ້ (at little distance) · ko 비좁은 (confined) · fa قریب (at little distance) · kmr nêzik (at little distance) · uk близьки́й (intimate) · ja 綿密な (carefully done, detailed) · es cercano (intimate) · cy agos (at little distance) · cs blízký (at little distance) · pt próximo (at little distance) · br tost (at little distance) · ja 危ない (almost resulting in disaster) · yue 近 (at little distance) · crh yaqın (at little distance) · tk ýakyn (at little distance) · nl dichtbij (at little distance) · my နီး (at little distance) · be блі́зкі (at little distance) · sh blȉzak (at little distance) · ky жакын (at little distance) · da nær (at little distance) · ga marbhánta (oppressive; without motion or ventilation) · ba яҡын (intimate) · he קְרוֹבָה (at little distance) · ja 狭い (confined) · got 𐌽𐌴𐍈 (at little distance) · kk жақын (at little distance) · sw fungu (at little distance) · cy trymaidd (hot and humid or muggy) · sk blízky (at little distance) · lv tuvs (at little distance) · ja 親しい (intimate) · bg бли́зък (at little distance) · mk бли́зок (at little distance) · cy mwrn (hot and humid or muggy) · ga meirbh (hot and humid or muggy) · km ជិត (at little distance) · ia vicin (at little distance) · ang nēah (at little distance) · bg бли́зък (intimate) · sl bližnji (at little distance) · io proxim (at little distance) · nl drukkend (hot and humid or muggy) · th ใกล้ (at little distance) · es cerca (at little distance) · ka ახლო (at little distance) · de nah (at little distance) · fi liki (at little distance) · za gaenh (at little distance) · ja 息苦しい (oppressive; without motion or ventilation) · ko 후텁지근한 (hot and humid or muggy) · ht pwòch (at little distance) · ka ახლოს (at little distance) · oc prèp (at little distance) · tt якын (at little distance) · ota حریر (hot and humid or muggy) · ota حرارتلو (hot and humid or muggy) · ko 충실한 (exact or nearly so) · ar قَرِيب (at little distance) · ja 近い (at little distance) · gd dlùth (at little distance) · yi נאָענט (at little distance) · mhr лишыл (intimate) · ga dlúth (at little distance) · ka მახლობლად (at little distance) · ne नजिक (at little distance) · he קָרוֹב (at little distance) · es citerior (at little distance) · hy մոտիկ (intimate) · pcc jaec (at little distance) · sh бли̏зак (at little distance) · uk бли́зький (at little distance) · fr près (at little distance) · ja 緊密な (involving a tight connection; involving frequent) · ja 蒸し暑い (hot and humid or muggy) · fi rakas (intimate) · fr lourd (hot and humid or muggy) · ko 긴밀한 (involving a tight connection; involving frequent) · fi lähellä (e.g. onko talosi lähellä?) (at little distance) · hi पास (at little distance) · uz yaqin (at little distance) · ja 短い (short) · et lähedal (at little distance) · ko 간결한 (concise; to the point) · fr proche (intimate) · sw fungu (intimate) · dsb bliski (at little distance) · ltg tiveims (at little distance) · es cercano (at little distance) · ru бли́жний (at little distance) · bg бли́жен (at little distance) · ja 正確な (accurate; precise) · fi nihkeä (hot and humid or muggy) · fa نزدیک (at little distance) · ko 아슬아슬한 (almost resulting in disaster) · ltg tyvs (at little distance) · ota یاقین (at little distance) · uk бли́жній (at little distance) · it vicino (at little distance) · ja 忠実な (exact or nearly so) · ja けちな (parsimonious; stingy) · fi läheinen (at little distance) · ru бли́зкий (intimate) · qu kaylla (at little distance) · es propincuo (at little distance) · ota ایصی (hot and humid or muggy) · it vicina (at little distance) · mi tata (at little distance) · ba тынсыу (hot and humid or muggy) · pl bliski (intimate) · tg қариб (at little distance) · gd dlùth (intimate) · ba яҡын (at little distance) · nl zwoel (hot and humid or muggy) · fr proche (at little distance) · fi likeinen (at little distance) · ko 가까운 (at little distance) · ko 인색한 (parsimonious; stingy) · ko 정확한 (accurate; precise) · sq i afërt (at little distance) · pt próximo (intimate) · es allegado (intimate) · mi whakaawhiawhi (intimate) · ca íntim (intimate) · de drückend (hot and humid or muggy) · ang ġehende (at little distance) · eo korligita (intimate) · fi tukala (hot and humid or muggy) · id dekat (at little distance) · za gyawj (at little distance) · ckb نزیک (at little distance) · nb nær (at little distance) · mhr лишыл (at little distance) · it intimo (intimate) · nn nær (at little distance) · cmn 近 (at little distance) · arz قُرَيِّب (at little distance) · de schwül (hot and humid or muggy) · rup aproapea (at little distance) · mt qrib (at little distance) · ko 면밀한 (carefully done, detailed) · sv nära (at little distance) · mi taupiri (intimate) · tet besik (at little distance) · nl nabije (at little distance) · pt vizinho (at little distance) · hy մոտիկ (at little distance) · tr yakın (at little distance) · eo proksima (at little distance) · ja 簡潔な (concise; to the point) · mi tūāhuru (hot and humid or muggy) · cs blízký (intimate) · ia proxime (at little distance) · be блі́жні (at little distance) · pt perto (at little distance) · lt artimas (at little distance) · es íntimo (intimate) · cy mwll (hot and humid or muggy) · az yaxın (at little distance) · pl bliski (at little distance) · ko 답답한 (oppressive; without motion or ventilation) · mi korire (hot and humid or muggy) · ca pròxim (at little distance) · rup aproapi (at little distance) · ko 짧은 (short) · mi piritahi (at little distance) · ko 친한 (intimate)
Borrowed from French clos, from Latin clausum, participle of claudō.
Meanings
In a close manner (limited contexts; more often closely). ▸ So as to leave or create little distance or space between objects.
Please stay close together.
The car behind was following too close and could not brake in time.
In a close manner (limited contexts; more often closely). ▸ Carefully, in detail.
Look close at the pictures.
In a close manner (limited contexts; more often closely). ▸ In combination (sometimes potentially ambiguous between adverb and adjective).
close-packed, close-knit, close-fitting
Forms
Spelling
Features
Labels
Source
closer
Degree=Cmp
lexicographic
closest
Degree=Sup
lexicographic
Translations (4)
ja 詳しく (carefully; in detail) · ja 近く (with little distance or space between) · ko 자세히 (carefully; in detail) · ko 가까이 (with little distance or space between)
Borrowed from French clos, from Latin clausum, participle of claudō.
Meanings
(UK) A street that ends in a dead end.
(historical) Private fenced land, such as a paddock, orchard or yard, that, along with the common pasture land and woodland, constituted the inarable component of the open-field system of the medieval manor in England.
By 1765, rapid enclosure was underway in the surrounding area (open fields replaced by the modern system of private fields). By the time of the 1846 ‘Tithe Map and Award’ very little remained of the original agricultural system other than indications in field names, such as Ginn Close, Straw Close, Crab Tree Close, Noble Close, Tinker Close, Laine Close, Hansack Close, Hansacky, Little Hansacky, The Pringle and Dole Meadow. (Note – ‘Close’ meaning an enclosure). 2021, Michael Smith, Stuart Lee, Lydia Ball, David Bamford, Don Foster, John Mortimer, Richard Paxton, Carol Sanderson, Dawn Savage, Graham Spencer, James Woodward, Awsworth Neighbourhood Plan 2015-2030^(https://web.archive.org/web/20260630132911/https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68544504824b969882ceb982/68f3d7bb1d7cab8b13102c62_awsworth-neighbourhood-plan-adopted-final-s%20(1).pdf), Adopted Version, July 2021 (PDF), Awsworth, Notts, UK: Awsworth Parish Council, archived from the original on 30 Jun 2026, page 14, line 2.12:
To be SOLD, At Mr. PACEY's, the WHITE LION in Nottingham, on Thursday the 28th Day of May, between the Hours of three and six in the Afternoon; THE INHERITANCE in Fee Simple of the MANOR of ALSWORTH, otherwise AWSWORTH, in the County of Nottingham, and also several Messuages and Tenements, with the Closes and Parcels of Land, Meadow, and Pasture Ground thereto belonging,... 1778 May 1, “Classified Advertisement”, in Derby Mercury, page 4:
(Yorkshire, archaic) An enclosed field, especially a field enclosed around a (usually religious) building (e.g. a cathedral close).
(Scotland) A very narrow alley between two buildings, often overhung by one of the buildings above the ground floor.
(Scotland) The common staircase in a tenement.
closes surrounded by the venerable abodes of deans and canons. 1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter III, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volume (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC:
The woman nodded at a nearby flight of steps. 'This is my close. We can talk in here. Come on.'. 2022, Liam McIlvanney, The Heretic, page 279:
The interest which one may have in a piece of ground, even though it is not enclosed.
ko 대성당 경내 (area around a cathedral) · fi umpikuja (street) · ja 路地 (narrow alley between two buildings in Scotland) · ko 막다른 길 (street) · ko 골목 (narrow alley between two buildings in Scotland) · bg задънена улица (street) · ja 袋小路 (street) · gd clobhsa (narrow alley between two buildings in Scotland) · ru тупи́к (street) · de Sackgasse (street) · fr cul-de-sac (street) · gl rúa cega (street) · ja 共用階段 (Scotland: common staircase in a tenement) · ko 공용 계단 (Scotland: common staircase in a tenement) · ja 大聖堂構内 (area around a cathedral)