- 1[transitive, intransitive] close (something) to put something into a position so that it covers an opening; to get into this position synonym shut Would anyone mind if I closed the window? She closed the gate behind her. It's dark now—let's close the curtains. I closed my eyes against the bright light. The doors open and close automatically. opposite open book/umbrella, etc.
- 2[transitive] close something (up) to move the parts of something together so that it is no longer open synonym shut to close a book/an umbrella opposite open
- 3[transitive, often passive, intransitive] to make the work of a store, etc. stop for a period of time; to not be open for people to use close something (for something) The museum has been closed for renovation. close something (to somebody/something) The gallery will be closed to the public on December 16. close (for something) What time does the bank close? We close for lunch between one and two. opposite open
- 4[transitive, intransitive] close (something) (also close down, close somethingdown) if a company, store, etc. closes, or if you close it, it stops operating as a business The club was closed by the police. The hospital closed at the end of last year. The play closed after just three nights. opposite open road/border
- 5[transitive] to prevent entrance to or exit from a place close something The army took control of the government and closed the border. The street was closed for repairs. close something to somebody/something The road was closed to traffic for two days. end
- 6[transitive, intransitive] to end or make something end The meeting will close at 10:00 p.m. The offer closes at the end of the week. close something to close a meeting/debate to close a case/an investigation to close an account (= to stop keeping money in a bank account) The subject is now closed (= we will not discuss it again). opposite open business deal
- 7[transitive] close something to complete and formally agree on a piece of business They closed a deal yesterday with a new supplier. He was able to close the sale in just a few minutes.
- 8[intransitive] close (at something) to be worth a particular amount at the end of the day's business Shares in the company closed at 75 cents. closing prices computing
- 9[transitive] close something to make a document or program disappear from the screen, so that it is stored in a secure way until it is needed again distance/difference
- 10[transitive, intransitive] close (something) to make the distance or difference between two people or things smaller; to become smaller or narrower These measures are aimed at closing the gap between rich and poor. The gap between the two top teams is closing all the time. Which Word?near / close
- The adjectives near and close are often the same in meaning, but in some phrases only one of them may be used:the near future a near neighbor a near miss a close contest a close encounter a close call.
- Close is more often used to describe a relationship between people:a close friend close family close links. You do not usually use near in this way.
hold firmly - 11[transitive, intransitive] close (something) about/around/over somebody/something to hold something or someone firmly She closed her hand over his. Her hand closed over his. Which Word?close / shut
- You can close and shut doors, windows, your eyes, mouth, etc.
- Shut can suggest more noise and is often found in phrases such as slammed shut, banged shut, snapped shut.
- Shut is also usually used for containers such as boxes, suitcases, etc.
- To talk about the time when stores, offices, etc. are not open, use close:What time do the banks close? A strike has closed the factory.You can also use closed:The store is closed today.
- Closed is used in front of a noun, but shut is not:a closed window.
- We usually use closed about roads, airports, etc:The road is closed because of the snow.
- Close is also used in formal English to talk about ending a meeting or conversation:Let's close our discussion by reviewing the main points.
- 1if a group of people close ranks, they work closely together to defend themselves, especially when they are being criticized It's not unusual for the police to close ranks when one of their officers is being investigated.
- 2if soldiers close ranks, they move closer together in order to defend themselves
verb jump to other results
NAmE//kloʊz//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they close he / she / it closes
past simple closed
-ing form closing
to stop doing something because you no longer believe you will be successful or will find a solution The police have closed the book on the case (= they have stopped trying to solve it).
to make it unlikely that something will happen She was careful not to close the door on the possibility of further talks.
(of a business, etc.) to stop trading The factory closed its doors for the last time in 2009.
to refuse to think about something as a possibility
to refuse to listen to something She decided to shut her ears to all the rumors.
to pretend that you have not noticed something so that you do not have to deal with it You can't just close your eyes to his violence. They seem intent on shutting their eyes to the problems of pollution.
to pretend that you have not noticed something so that you do not have to deal with it You can't just close your eyes to his violence. They seem intent on shutting their eyes to the problems of pollution. Phrasal Verbsclose downclose inclose offclose outclose overclose up
Check pronunciation: close