close

Meanings

close¹

verbclose (third-person singular simple present closes, present participle closing, simple past and past participle closed)

present singular third person closes · participle present closing · participle past closed · past closed · first person past singular closed · archaic present second person singular closest · past second person singular closed · archaic past second person singular closedst · present singular third person closes · archaic present singular third person closeth · past singular third person closed · past plural closed · past subjunctive closed · participle present closing · participle past closed

To remove or block an opening, gap or passage through.
1. ambitransitivephysicalTo move a thing, or part of a thing, nearer to another so that the gap or opening between the two is removed.
  Many flowers close at night.
  5 more examples
  Close the door behind you when you leave.
  Jim closed his eyes and reclined back in his chair.
  The runner in second place is closing the gap on the leader.
  to close the ranks of an army
  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
  Synonyms: close up, shut · Antonyms: open
2. physicaltransitiveTo obstruct or block.
  They closed the road for the festival.
  1 more example
  Ice has closed the channel to shipping.
  Synonyms: close off, close up, shut, shut off · Antonyms: open
3. intransitivephysicalTo become denser or more crowded with objects.
  As we penetrated further, the forest closed around us.
4. figurativelyintransitivephysicaltransitiveTo make or become unreceptive.
  He has closed his mind to new ideas.
5. intransitivephysicaltransitivegas and liquid flowengineeringTo move to a position preventing fluid from flowing.
6. intransitivephysicaltransitivefuse or circuit breakerbusinessTo move to a position allowing electricity to flow.
7. physicalTo 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.
8. especiallyintransitivephysicaltransitivehobbiesTo angle (a club, bat or other hitting implement) downwards and/or (for a right-hander) anticlockwise of straight.
To finish.
1. transitiveTo end or conclude.
  to close a bargain; to close a course of instruction
  3 more examples
  The committee chairman made a few concluding remarks and then closed the session.
  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
  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
  Synonyms: complete, end, finish, wind up, wrap up · Antonyms: begin, commence, initiate, start
2. intransitiveTo finish; to come to an end.
  The debate closed at six o'clock.
  Synonyms: end, finish, wind up, wrap up · Antonyms: begin, commence, start
3. ergativebusinessTo conclude (a sale).
4. transitiveTo perform as the final act at (a show etc.).
  Nirvana closed the festival.
5. transitivepitchingball gamesTo make the final outs, usually three, of a game.
  He has closed the last two games for his team.
6. transitivebusinessTo cancel or reverse (a trading position).
To make or become non-operational or unavailable for use.
1. transitiveTo put out of use or operation.
  We are closing the phone lines at 9 pm.
  2 more examples
  Your account has been closed because of non-payment.
  They closed the airport because of a bomb scare.
  Synonyms: close down
2. intransitiveTo cease operation or cease to be available.
  Our options are closing fast.
  1 more example
  Phone lines will close in ten minutes.
3. intransitivemarket etc.To cease trading for the day, or permanently.
  The FTSE 100 closed up 1.2%.
  2 more examples
  The supermarket closes at eight o'clock.
  Lots of shops in the town centre have closed because of the recession.
  Synonyms: shut · Antonyms: open
4. intransitiveTo 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.
5. ergativecomputingTo terminate an application, window, file or database connection, etc.
  Close the file when you have finished reading data.
  1 more example
  This app has a bug: when you try to sort a large spreadsheet, it closes.
  Synonyms: exit · Antonyms: launch, open, start
6. CyprusPhilippinesQuebecGreeceTo turn off; to switch off.
  Please close the lights, the (electric) fan, the TV.
figurativelyTo 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
1 more example
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
Synonyms: encompass, confine
geographyTo have a vector sum of 0; that is, to form a closed polygon.

nounclose (plural closes)

plural closes

An end or conclusion.
We owe them our thanks for bringing the project to a successful close.
1 more example
His long and troubled life was drawing to a close.
1878, Thomas Babington Macaulay, “Francis Atterbury”, in Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition
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
salesThe 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
Synonyms: closer
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]
entertainmentThe 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
entertainmentA double bar marking the end.
aeronauticsThe time when check-in staff will no longer accept passengers for a flight.

close²

adjectiveclose (comparative closer, superlative closest)

comparative closer · superlative closest

Having little difference or distance in place, position, or abstractly; see also close to.
1. At little distance; near in space or time.
  Is your house close?
  2 more examples
  Christmas is getting close.
  […] 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
  Synonyms: close by, closeby
2. Almost, but not quite (getting to an answer, goal, or other state); near.
  No, but you were close.
  3 more examples
  We were so close to winning!
  She wasn't quite in tears but she was 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
3. Almost resulting in disaster.
  Phew! That was close!
4. Nearly equal; almost evenly balanced; almost exactly matching.
  It was a close contest.
  2 more examples
  Their ages are quite close.
  His face is a close fit with the artist's impression.
5. Adhering strictly to a standard or original; exact or nearly so.
  a close translation; a close copy
6. Intimate or immediate in personal relationship.
  He is a close friend.
  3 more examples
  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
7. Involving a tight connection; involving frequent communication, shared or cooperative activity, etc.
  We have a close affiliation with the college.
  1 more example
  I keep in close contact with my former colleagues.
8. lifestyleNearing orgasm.
Compressed, restricted, constrained, etc.
1. archaic outside certain phrasesPhysically narrow or confined.
  a close alley; close quarters; close confines
  1 more example
  [...] 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
2. Tight, with little space separating components or elements.
  These trousers are a close fit.
  1 more example
  For this job it's best to use wood with a close grain.
3. Strictly confined; carefully guarded.
  He was captured and kept a close prisoner.
4. Tightly restricted in availability.
  The pregnancy was a close secret.
  1 more example
  His lawyers have so far kept this information close.
5. lawOf a corporation or other business entity, closely held.
6. Oppressive; without motion or ventilation; causing a feeling of lassitude.
  1907, Algernon Blackwood, The Dance of Death …the artificial light and close air of his high office stool …
  2 more examples
  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
  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
7. IrelandUKclimatologyHot, humid, with no wind.
  Synonyms: muggy
8. archaicDense; 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.
1. Attentive; undeviating; strict.
  Keep a close eye on him.
  2 more examples
  The patient was kept under close observation.
  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
2. Carefully done, detailed.
  This issue merits close examination.
  1 more example
  Unfortunately, on close reading of the Ts and Cs, it appears that your insurance does not cover this.
3. Accurate; precise.
Short.
to cut grass or hair close
archaicClosed, shut.
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
3 more examples
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
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
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
human sciencesArticulated with the tongue body relatively close to the hard palate.
Synonyms: high
governmentWith 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
2 more examples
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
datedDifficult to obtain.
Money is close.
3 more examples
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
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
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
datedParsimonious; stingy.
[...] he was a crusty old fellow, as close as a vice.
1837, Nathaniel Hawthorne, “Mr. Higginbotham's Catastrophe”, in Twice-Told Tales, volume I
2 more examples
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
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
obsoleteOut of the way of observation; secluded; secret; hidden.
her close intent
1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto I”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 57
1 more example
He yet kept himself close because of Saul.
1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Chronicles 12:1
archaicConcise; to the point.
close reasoning
1 more example
Where the original is close no version can reach it in the same compass.
1690, John Dryden, Translations (Preface)
Marked, evident.

adverbclose (comparative closer, superlative closest)

comparative closer · superlative closest

In a close manner (limited contexts; more often closely).
1. So as to leave or create little distance or space between objects.
  Please stay close together.
  1 more example
  The car behind was following too close and could not brake in time.
2. Carefully, in detail.
  Look close at the pictures.
3. In combination (sometimes potentially ambiguous between adverb and adjective).
  close-packed, close-knit, close-fitting

nounclose (plural closes)

plural closes

UKA street that ends in a dead end.
Synonyms: cul-de-sac
historicalPrivate 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.
2 more examples
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
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
YorkshirearchaicAn enclosed field, especially a field enclosed around a (usually religious) building (e.g. a cathedral close).
ScotlandA very narrow alley between two buildings, often overhung by one of the buildings above the ground floor.
Synonyms: alley
ScotlandThe 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
1 more example
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
lawThe interest which one may have in a piece of ground, even though it is not enclosed.

Close³

proper nounClose (plural Closes)

plural Closes

A surname.

Synonyms & antonyms

verbTo move a thing, or part of a thing, nearer to another so that the gap or opening between the two is removed.

Similar

close up shut

Opposite

open

verbTo obstruct or block.

Similar

close off close up shut shut off

Opposite

open

verbTo end or conclude.

Similar

complete end finish wind up wrap up

Opposite

begin commence initiate start

verbTo finish; to come to an end.

Similar

end finish wind up wrap up

Opposite

begin commence start

verbTo put out of use or operation.

Similar

close down

verbTo cease trading for the day, or permanently.

Similar

shut

Opposite

open

verbTo terminate an application, window, file or database connection, etc.

Similar

exit

Opposite

launch open start

verbTo come or gather around; to enclose.

Similar

encompass confine

nounThe point at the end of a sales pitch when the consumer is asked to buy.

Similar

closer

adjectiveAt little distance; near in space or time.

Similar

close by closeby

adjectiveHot, humid, with no wind.

Similar

muggy

adjectiveArticulated with the tongue body relatively close to the hard palate.

Similar

high

nounA street that ends in a dead end.

Similar

cul-de-sac

nounA very narrow alley between two buildings, often overhung by one of the buildings above the ground floor.

Similar

alley

Narrower

autoclose

end

Similar

end finale

antonym(s) of “end”

Opposite

beginning start

Similar

near nearby intimate oppressive

antonym(s) of

Opposite

distant

Opposite

far faraway far off remote

antonym(s) of “intimate”

Opposite

aloof cool

antonym(s) of “articulated with the tongue body relatively close to the hard palate”

Opposite

open

Narrower

this close thiscloseultra-close

More synonyms by meaning

adjectiveat or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

Opposite

distant

adjectiveclose in relevance or relationship

Opposite

distant

adjectivenot far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances

Similar

near nigh adjacent nearby warm hot

adjectiverigorously attentive; strict and thorough

Similar

careful

adjectivemarked by fidelity to an original

Similar

faithful accurate

adjective(of a contest or contestants) evenly matched

Similar

tight equal

adjectivecrowded

Similar

confining confined

adjectivelacking fresh air

Similar

airless stuffy unaired unventilated

adjectiveof textiles

Similar

tight fine

adjectivestrictly confined or guarded

Similar

restrained

adjectiveconfined to specific persons

Similar

private

adjectivefitting closely but comfortably

Similar

snug close-fitting tight

adjectiveused of hair or haircuts

Similar

short

adjectivegiving or spending with reluctance

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

close · verb, noun

Proto-Indo-European*kleh₂w-“key, hook, nail”
Latinclausus“shut up”
Old Frenchclos“close, confined”
Middle Englishclos“close, shut up, confined, secret”
Old Englishclȳsan“to close, shut”
Middle Englishclusen“to close”
Middle Englishclosen“to close, enclose”
Englishclose

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.

More words from Middle English, Old English, Old French

Full word history & related roots →

close · adjective, adverb, noun

Latinclausum
Frenchclos
Englishclose

Borrowed from French clos, from Latin clausum, participle of claudō.

More words from French, Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Afrikaans sluit, toemaak

sluitobstruct (an opening)
toemaakobstruct (an opening)
toemaakmove (a door)

Ancient Greek κλείω

κλείω (kleíō)obstruct (an opening)

Arabic أَغْلَقَ, سَكَّر

أَغْلَقَ (ʔaḡlaqa)obstruct (an opening)
سَكَّر (sakkar)obstruct (an opening)
قَفَّل (gaffal)obstruct (an opening)
أَغْلَقَ (ʔaḡlaqa)move (a door)
قَرِيب (qarīb)at little distance

Basque itxi, itxi

itxiobstruct (an opening)
itximove (a door)

Bengali বন্ধ করা, বন্ধ করা

বন্ধ করা (bondho kora)obstruct (an opening)
বন্ধ করা (bondho kora)bring one's eyelids together
বন্ধ করা (bondho kora)move (a door)

Bulgarian затва́рям, приклю́чвам

затва́рям (zatvárjam)obstruct (an opening)
приклю́чвам (prikljúčvam)put an end to
приклю́ча (prikljúča)put an end to
закри́вам (zakrívam)put an end to
затва́рям (zatvárjam)move (a door)
край (kraj)end or conclusion
завършек (zavăršek)end or conclusion
закриване (zakrivane)end or conclusion
бли́зък (blízăk)at little distance
бли́жен (blížen)at little distance
бли́зък (blízăk)intimate
задънена улица (zadănena ulica)street

Catalan tancar, cloure

tancarobstruct (an opening)
cloureobstruct (an opening)
acabarput an end to
tancarto make a sale
concloureto make a sale
pròximat little distance
íntimintimate

Chinese Cantonese 閂 /闩, 瞇埋 /眯埋

閂 /闩 (saan¹)obstruct (an opening)
瞇埋 /眯埋 (mei¹ maai⁴)bring one's eyelids together
關 /关 (gwaan¹)move (a door)
近 (kan⁵)at little distance

Chinese Mandarin 關 /关, 閉 /闭

關 /关 (guān)obstruct (an opening)
閉 /闭 (bì)obstruct (an opening)
關閉 /关闭 (guānbì)obstruct (an opening)
閉上 /闭上 (bìshang)bring one's eyelids together
關 /关 (guān)move (a door)
關上 /关上 (guānshang)move (a door)
閉 /闭 (bì)move (a door)
關閉 /关闭 (guānbì)move (a door)
近 (jìn)at little distance

Czech zavírat, zavřít

zavíratobstruct (an opening)
zavřítobstruct (an opening)
zavíratmove (a door)
zavřítmove (a door)
blízkýat little distance
blízkýintimate

Danish lukke, afslutte

lukkeobstruct (an opening)
afslutteput an end to
lukkebring one's eyelids together
lukkemove (a door)
nærat little distance

Dutch dichten, sluiten

dichtenobstruct (an opening)
sluitenobstruct (an opening)
afsluitenput an end to
beëindigenput an end to
sluitenbring one's eyelids together
dichtdoenmove (a door)
verkleinento make smaller
nabijeat little distance
dichtbijat little distance
zwoelhot and humid or muggy
drukkendhot and humid or muggy

Esperanto fermi, fini

fermiput an end to
finiput an end to
fermimove (a door)
proksimaat little distance
korligitaintimate

Estonian sulgema, sulgema

sulgemaobstruct (an opening)
sulgemamove (a door)
lähedalat little distance

Finnish sulkea, kuroa

sulkeaobstruct (an opening)
kuroaobstruct (an opening)
ummistaaobstruct (an opening)
panna umpeenobstruct (an opening)
laittaa umpeenobstruct (an opening)
lopettaaput an end to
sulkeaput an end to
päättääput an end to
sulkeabring one's eyelids together
ummistaabring one's eyelids together
sulkeutuasurveying: to have a vector sum of 0
sulkeamove (a door)
päätösend or conclusion
loppuend or conclusion
maaliend or conclusion
läheinenat little distance
lähellä (e.g. onko talosi lähellä?)at little distance
likiat little distance
likeinenat little distance
läheinenintimate
rakasintimate
nihkeähot and humid or muggy
tukalahot and humid or muggy
umpikujastreet

French fermer, boucher

fermerobstruct (an opening)
boucherobstruct (an opening)
cloreobstruct (an opening)
cloreput an end to
mettre fin àput an end to
terminerput an end to
conclureput an end to
finirput an end to
fermerbring one's eyelids together
fermermove (a door)
conclureto make a sale
finend or conclusion
conclusionend or conclusion
achèvementend or conclusion
procheat little distance
prèsat little distance
procheintimate
lourdhot and humid or muggy
cul-de-sacstreet

German schließen, zumachen

schließenobstruct (an opening)
zumachenobstruct (an opening)
schließenput an end to
beendenput an end to
schließenbring one's eyelids together
zumachenbring one's eyelids together
schließenmove (a door)
zumachenmove (a door)
verkleinernto make smaller
abschließento make a sale
nahat little distance
schwülhot and humid or muggy
drückendhot and humid or muggy
Sackgassestreet

Greek κλείνω

κλείνω (kleíno)obstruct (an opening)

Hebrew סָגַר, סָגַר

סָגַר (sagár)obstruct (an opening)
סָגַר (sagár)put an end to
עָצַם (atsám)bring one's eyelids together
סָגַר (sagár)move (a door)
קָרוֹב (karóv)at little distance
קְרוֹבָה (k'rová)at little distance

Hindi बंद करना, समाप्ति

बंद करना (band karnā)obstruct (an opening)
समाप्ति (samāpti)put an end to
मूँदना (mū̃dnā)bring one's eyelids together
बंद करना (band karnā)move (a door)
पास (pās)at little distance

Hungarian becsuk, befejez

becsukobstruct (an opening)
befejezput an end to
lehunybring one's eyelids together
becsukmove (a door)

Icelandic loka, ljúka

lokaobstruct (an opening)
ljúkaput an end to
lokabring one's eyelids together
lokamove (a door)

Indonesian menutup, tutup

menutupobstruct (an opening)
tutupput an end to
tutupmove (a door)
dekatat little distance

Irish dún, deireadh a chur ar

dúnobstruct (an opening)
deireadh a chur arput an end to
iaighbring one's eyelids together
dúnbring one's eyelids together
dúnmove (a door)
dlúthat little distance
marbhántaoppressive; without motion or ventilation
meirbhhot and humid or muggy

Italian chiudere, concludere

chiudereobstruct (an opening)
concludereput an end to
terminareput an end to
chiudereput an end to
chiuderemove (a door)
accorciareto make smaller
ridurreto make smaller
concludereto make a sale
chiudereto make a sale
fineend or conclusion
conclusioneend or conclusion
vicinoat little distance
vicinaat little distance
intimointimate

Japanese 塞ぐ, 閉ざす

塞ぐ (fusagu)obstruct (an opening)
閉ざす (tozasu)figuratively: make or become unreceptive
閉じる (tojiru)engineering: of a valve or damper, prevent fluid from flowing
終える (oeru)put an end to
終了する (shūryō suru)put an end to
終わる (owaru)to come to an end
閉じる (tojiru)bring one's eyelids together
瞑る (tsumuru)bring one's eyelids together
手仕舞う (tejimau)finance: close out a trading position
閉じる (tojiru)computing: terminate an application, window, file, etc.
切る (kiru)turn off; switch off
取り囲む (torikakomu)figuratively: surround; enclose
終わり (owari)end or conclusion
クロージング (kurōjingu)sales: closing stage of a sales pitch
終止 (shūshi)music: cadence
終止線 (shūshisen)music: final double bar
チェックイン締め切り時間 (chekkuin shimekiri jikan)aviation, travel: check-in cutoff time
近い (chikai)at little distance
危ない (abunai)almost resulting in disaster
忠実な (chūjitsu na)exact or nearly so
親しい (shitashii)intimate
緊密な (kinmitsu na)involving a tight connection; involving frequent
息苦しい (ikigurushii)oppressive; without motion or ventilation
蒸し暑い (mushiatsui)hot and humid or muggy
綿密な (menmitsu na)carefully done, detailed
正確な (seikaku na)accurate; precise
短い (mijikai)short
けちな (kechi na)parsimonious; stingy
簡潔な (kanketsu na)concise; to the point
近く (chikaku)with little distance or space between
詳しく (kuwashiku)carefully; in detail
袋小路 (fukurokōji)street
大聖堂構内 (daiseidō kōnai)area around a cathedral
路地 (roji)narrow alley between two buildings in Scotland
共用階段 (kyōyō kaidan)Scotland: common staircase in a tenement

Korean 막다, 닫다

막다 (makda)obstruct (an opening)
닫다 (datda)figuratively: make or become unreceptive
닫다 (datda)engineering: of a valve or damper, prevent fluid from flowing
끝내다 (kkeunnaeda)put an end to
마치다 (machida)put an end to
종결하다 (jonggyeolhada)put an end to
끝나다 (kkeunnada)to come to an end
감다 (gamda)bring one's eyelids together
청산하다 (cheongsanhada)finance: close out a trading position
닫다 (datda)computing: terminate an application, window, file, etc.
끄다 (kkeuda)turn off; switch off
둘러싸다 (dulleossada)figuratively: surround; enclose
끝 (kkeut)end or conclusion
클로징 (keullojing)sales: closing stage of a sales pitch
종지 (jongji)music: cadence
끝세로줄 (kkeutserojul)music: final double bar
체크인 마감 시간 (chekeuin magam sigan)aviation, travel: check-in cutoff time
가까운 (gakkaun)at little distance
아슬아슬한 (aseuraseulhan)almost resulting in disaster
충실한 (chungsilhan)exact or nearly so
친한 (chinhan)intimate
긴밀한 (ginmilhan)involving a tight connection; involving frequent
답답한 (dapdapan)oppressive; without motion or ventilation
후텁지근한 (huteopjigeunhan)hot and humid or muggy
면밀한 (myeonmilhan)carefully done, detailed
정확한 (jeonghwakan)accurate; precise
짧은 (jjalbeun)short
인색한 (insaekan)parsimonious; stingy
간결한 (gan'gyeolhan)concise; to the point
가까이 (gakkai)with little distance or space between
자세히 (jasehi)carefully; in detail
막다른 길 (makdareun gil)street
대성당 경내 (daeseongdang gyeongnae)area around a cathedral
골목 (golmok)narrow alley between two buildings in Scotland
공용 계단 (gongyong gyedan)Scotland: common staircase in a tenement

Latin claudō, claudō

claudōobstruct (an opening)
claudōmove (a door)
clausulaend or conclusion

Latvian aiztaisīt, aizdarīt

aiztaisītobstruct (an opening)
aizdarītobstruct (an opening)
slēgtput an end to
aizvērtmove (a door)
aiztaisītmove (a door)
aizdarītmove (a door)
tuvsat little distance

Lithuanian uždaryti, uždaryti

uždarytiobstruct (an opening)
uždarytimove (a door)
artimasat little distance

Malay menutup, pejam

menutupobstruct (an opening)
pejambring one's eyelids together
menutupmove (a door)
dekatat little distance

Māori whakamutu, whakaoti

whakamutuput an end to
whakaotiput an end to
whakamoebring one's eyelids together
pāmove (a door)
mutungaend or conclusion
whakaotingaend or conclusion
tataat little distance
piritahiat little distance
taupiriintimate
whakaawhiawhiintimate
korirehot and humid or muggy
tūāhuruhot and humid or muggy

Norwegian stenge, avslutte

stengeobstruct (an opening)
avslutteput an end to
lukkebring one's eyelids together
lukkemove (a door)
stengemove (a door)

Norwegian Bokmål nær

nærat little distance

Persian بستن, بستن

بستن (bastan)obstruct (an opening)
بستن (bastan)move (a door)
نزدیک (nazdik)at little distance
قریب (qarib)at little distance

Polish zamykać, zamknąć

zamykaćobstruct (an opening)
zamknąćobstruct (an opening)
zamknąćput an end to
zamykaćput an end to
zamykaćmove (a door)
zamknąćmove (a door)
bliskiat little distance
bliskiintimate

Portuguese fechar, fechar

fecharobstruct (an opening)
fecharput an end to
encerrarput an end to
concluirput an end to
terminarput an end to
fecharmove (a door)
cerrarmove (a door)
conclusãoend or conclusion
fechamentoend or conclusion
próximoat little distance
vizinhoat little distance
pertoat little distance
próximointimate

Romanian închide, termina

închideobstruct (an opening)
terminaput an end to
finisaput an end to
închidemove (a door)
aproapeat little distance

Russian закрыва́ть, закры́ть

закрыва́ть (zakryvátʹ)obstruct (an opening)
закры́ть (zakrýtʹ)obstruct (an opening)
закрыва́ть (zakryvátʹ)put an end to
закры́ть (zakrýtʹ)put an end to
зака́нчивать (zakánčivatʹ)put an end to
зако́нчить (zakónčitʹ)put an end to
заверша́ть (zaveršátʹ)put an end to
заверши́ть (zaveršítʹ)put an end to
закрыва́ть (zakryvátʹ)move (a door)
закры́ть (zakrýtʹ)move (a door)
сокраща́ть (sokraščátʹ)to make smaller
сократи́ть (sokratítʹ)to make smaller
закры́тие (zakrýtije)end or conclusion
заверше́ние (zaveršénije)end or conclusion
оконча́ние (okončánije)end or conclusion
бли́зкий (blízkij)at little distance
бли́жний (blížnij)at little distance
бли́зкий (blízkij)intimate
тупи́к (tupík)street

Scottish Gaelic dùin, dlùth

dùinmove (a door)
dlùthat little distance
faisgat little distance
dlùthintimate
clobhsanarrow alley between two buildings in Scotland

Slovak zatvárať, zatvoriť

zatváraťobstruct (an opening)
zatvoriťobstruct (an opening)
zavrieťobstruct (an opening)
zatváraťmove (a door)
zatvoriťmove (a door)
zavrieťmove (a door)
blízkyat little distance

Spanish cerrar, tapar

cerrarobstruct (an opening)
taparobstruct (an opening)
clausurarobstruct (an opening)
cerrarput an end to
terminarput an end to
concluirput an end to
finalizarput an end to
cerrarmove (a door)
corrermove (a door)
achicarto make smaller
acercarseto make smaller
acortarto make smaller
finend or conclusion
conclusiónend or conclusion
cierreend or conclusion
cercanoat little distance
cercaat little distance
citeriorat little distance
propincuoat little distance
cercanointimate
íntimointimate
allegadointimate

Swahili funga, funga

fungaobstruct (an opening)
fungaput an end to
fungasurveying: to have a vector sum of 0
fungamove (a door)
fungato make smaller
fungato make a sale
fungaend or conclusion
funguat little distance
funguintimate

Swedish stänga, avsluta

stängaobstruct (an opening)
avslutaput an end to
slutabring one's eyelids together
stängamove (a door)
slutend or conclusion
näraat little distance

Tagalog sara

saramove (a door)

Tamil மூடு, முடக்கு

மூடு (mūṭu)obstruct (an opening)
முடக்கு (muṭakku)obstruct (an opening)
முடி (muṭi)put an end to
முடக்கு (muṭakku)put an end to
மூடு (mūṭu)bring one's eyelids together
மூடு (mūṭu)move (a door)
சாத்து (cāttu)move (a door)
பூட்டு (pūṭṭu)move (a door)
குறை (kuṟai)to make smaller
முடி (muṭi)to make a sale

Thai ปิด, หลับ

ปิด (bpìt)obstruct (an opening)
หลับ (làp)bring one's eyelids together
งับ (ngáp)move (a door)
หุบ (hùp)move (a door)
ปิด (bpìt)move (a door)
ใกล้ (glâi)at little distance

Turkish kapatmak, kapatmak

kapatmakobstruct (an opening)
kapatmakput an end to
kapatmakmove (a door)
örtmekmove (a door)
kitlemekmove (a door)
yakınat little distance
yakınintimate

Ukrainian зачиня́ти, зачини́ти

зачиня́ти (začynjáty)obstruct (an opening)
зачини́ти (začynýty)obstruct (an opening)
закрива́ти (zakryváty)obstruct (an opening)
закри́ти (zakrýty)obstruct (an opening)
заплю́щувати (zapljúščuvaty)bring one's eyelids together
стуля́ти (stuljáty)bring one's eyelids together
зачиня́ти (začynjáty)move (a door)
зачини́ти (začynýty)move (a door)
бли́зький (blýzʹkyj)at little distance
бли́жній (blýžnij)at little distance
близьки́й (blyzʹkýj)intimate

Urdu بند کرنا, بند کرنا

بند کرنا (band karnā)obstruct (an opening)
بند کرنا (band karnā)move (a door)

Vietnamese đóng, nhắm

đóngobstruct (an opening)
nhắmbring one's eyelids together
đóngmove (a door)
gầnat little distance

Welsh cau, cau

cauobstruct (an opening)
caubring one's eyelids together
caumove (a door)
agosat little distance
mwllhot and humid or muggy
mwrnhot and humid or muggy
trymaiddhot and humid or muggy

Yiddish שליסן, פֿאַרמאַכן

שליסן (shlisn)obstruct (an opening)
פֿאַרמאַכן (farmakhn)obstruct (an opening)
שליסן (shlisn)put an end to
שליסן (shlisn)move (a door)
נאָענט (noent)at little distance

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with close

goes os rose follows clothes knows Jose gross dose dos nose chose hose propose disclose pose impose fellows oppose expose prose diagnose bose compose

All rhymes →

Sounds the same

clozeclothes (when the /ð/ is omitted)clozeclothes (when the /ð/ is omitted)

Anagrams

coles socle Scole

Cite this entry

APA

close. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/close

MLA

“close.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/close. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “close,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/close.

Source: close on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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