Macmillan Dictionary

Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

close

 - definition
 
 
 
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
verb American English pronunciation: close /kloʊz/ 
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyclose
he/she/itcloses
present participleclosing
past tenseclosed
past participleclosed
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [intransitive/transitive] if you close something, or if it closes, it moves to cover an open area

    Close the door quietly behind you.

    Did the fridge door close completely?

    I was just closing my eyes to go to sleep when the phone rang.

    Her mouth closed after a moment and she said nothing.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of close
    1. a.
      [transitive] to move together the parts of something that was spread to its full size

      Nick closed his book and put it down.

      Closing the umbrella, she ran for the car.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of close
  2. 2
    [intransitive/transitive] to stop doing business at regular times or temporarily

    We close the office at noon Fridays.

    Snow forced both airports to close.

    close for:

    We will close for our annual inventory next week.

    close on:

    The Blue Café closes on Mondays.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of close
    1. a.

      close

       or

      close down

       [intransitive/transitive] to stop doing business or operating permanently

      The company plans to close 10 coal mines.

      Small stores are closing because of competition from the large chains.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of close
  3. 3
    [transitive] to stop people or vehicles from entering or leaving a place, using a road, etc.

    They have closed their border with Albania.

    close something to something:

    There is a proposal to close the park to traffic.

    close something for something:

    The bridge will have to be closed for repairs.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of close
  4. 4
    [intransitive/transitive] if something such as a discussion, activity, or event closes, or if you close it, it ends

    Can we close this matter and move on?

    Her latest Broadway show closed after only three performances.

    close with:

    The letter closes with an appeal for money.

    close something by doing something:

    He closed the meeting by thanking everyone for coming.

    close a case (=end an investigation):

    The police are closing the case because of a lack of evidence.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of close
    1. a.
      [intransitive] if something such as an offer closes, it stops being available
      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of close
  6. 6

    close

     or

    close up

     [intransitive/transitive] to reduce the distance or difference between people or things
    close on:

    Williams was leading but the other runners were closing on him fast.

    close the gap between:

    Closing the gap between rich and poor would help to improve the health of the nation.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of close
  7. 7
    [transitive] business to stop having an account with a bank, store, etc.

    We closed our bank account and opened a new one online.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of close
  8. 8
    [transitive] business to successfully complete the arrangements for a business deal

    He had to lower the price to close the sale.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of close
  9. 9
    [intransitive/transitive] to put or have your fingers, hands, or arms around someone or something
    close around/over:

    Her hand closed tightly over his.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of close

phrases

This is the American English definition of close. View British English definition of close.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

View the pronunciation for close.

 

cyberloafing

using the Internet where you work, during working hours, for activities which are not work-related

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

neutrino

a particle that is smaller than an atom and has no electrical charge

Open Dictionary

show a bit of ankle

… to reveal a small part of your intentions in order to attract support, without actually committing yourself to doing anything

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog