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close

1 close /ˈkloʊz/ verb
closes; closed; closing
1 close
/ˈkloʊz/
verb
closes; closed; closing
Britannica Dictionary definition of CLOSE
◊ The opposite of close is open in every sense except senses 3b and 9.
: to move (a door, window, etc.) so that things cannot pass through an opening : shut
[+ object]
[no object]
[+ object] : to cover the opening of (something) : shut
: to bring together the parts or edges of (something open)
[+ object]
[no object]
: to bring together the edges of (a wound) so that it can heal
[+ object]
[no object]
: to not allow (a road, park, etc.) to be used for a period of time
[+ object]
[no object]
: to stop the services or activities of (a business, school, etc.) for a period of time
[+ object]
[no object]
: to stop the services or activities of (a business, school, etc.) permanently
[+ object]
[no object]
: to end (something)
[+ object]
[no object]
[+ object] : to stop keeping money in (an account at a bank)
[+ object] : to end the use of (a file, document, or program) on a computer
[+ object] : to formally accept (an agreement)
see also close on (below)
10 
[no object] : to reach a specified price or level at the end of the day
11 
: to reduce the amount of distance or difference between two things, people, or groups
[+ object]
[no object]

close down

[phrasal verb]
: to permanently stop operating : close
British : to stop broadcasting from a radio or television station for the day
close down (something) or close (something) down : to permanently stop the services or activities of (a business, school, etc.)
see also closedown

close in

[phrasal verb]
: to come or move nearer or closer
often + on

close off

[phrasal verb]
close off (something) or close (something) off
: to not allow (something) to be used for a period of time : close
sometimes used figuratively

close on

[phrasal verb]
close on (something) US
: to formally and legally agree to and complete (an important financial arrangement, such as the purchase of a house)
see also 1close 9 (above)

close out

[phrasal verb]
close out (something)
US : to quickly sell (all of a particular type of product in a store) at a lower price
see also closeout
: to stop keeping money in (a bank account)
: to end (something) in a specified way

close ranks

see 1rank

close the door on

see door

close up

[phrasal verb]
: to close and lock all the doors of a building usually for a short period of time
close (something) up or close up (something) : to close and lock all the doors of (a house, store, etc.)
◊ To close up shop is to go out of business forever or stop performing all services or activities for a period of time.
: to move closer together
of a wound : to become completely healed
: to become quiet : to stop talking about your thoughts or emotions with other people
close (something) up or close up (something) : to bring (people or things) closer together

close your doors

see door

close your eyes to

see 1eye
2 close /ˈkloʊs/ adjective
closer; closest
2 close
/ˈkloʊs/
adjective
closer; closest
Britannica Dictionary definition of CLOSE
: near in space : not far away or distant
often + to
see also close encounter at 2encounter
: near in time
often + to
not used before a noun : very similar : almost the same
often + to
not used before a noun : almost correct
◊ The informal phrase close but no cigar is used to say that a guess was almost correct or that an effort was almost good enough.
used to say that someone or something has almost reached a particular condition + to
: almost doing something + to
used to say that something bad almost happened
see also too close for comfort at 1comfort
used to describe the people you are most directly related to (such as your parents, children, sisters, brothers, etc.)
compare distant
used to describe people who know each other very well and care about each other very much
often + to
: connected in a direct way
sometimes used figuratively
10 
: very careful, complete, or precise
11 
used to describe a race, contest, game, etc., in which one person, group, or team defeats the other or is leading the other by only a small amount
◊ When you are a close second, there is a small difference between you and the winner.
12 
: very short or near to the skin
13 
: fitting tightly : having no extra space
see also close-fitting
14 
: warm in an uncomfortable way : not having enough fresh air

close to home

◊ If something is close to home, it affects you in a strong and personal way.

close to the bone

◊ If something is close to the bone, it is very honest and deals with sensitive issues that can shock people or hurt their feelings.

close to the edge

see 1edge

close to the mark

see 1mark

close to your chest

or US close to the vest
◊ If you hold, keep, or play something close to your chest or close to the vest, you do not tell other people about it.

— closely

adverb [more closely; most closely]

— closeness

noun [noncount]
3 close /ˈkloʊs/ adverb
closer; closest
3 close
/ˈkloʊs/
adverb
closer; closest
Britannica Dictionary definition of CLOSE
: at or to a short distance or time away

close at hand

: near in time or place

close by

: at a short distance away

close on

British
: almost or nearly

close to

: almost or nearly
British : from a short distance

close up

or up close
: from a short distance : at close range
see also close-up

come close

: to almost do something often + to
: to be similar to something or as good as expected

cut it close

see 1cut
4 close /ˈkloʊz/ noun
4 close
/ˈkloʊz/
noun
Britannica Dictionary definition of CLOSE
[singular] formal
: the end of an activity or a period of time
see also complimentary close
compare 5close
5 close /ˈkloʊs/ noun
plural closes
5 close
/ˈkloʊs/
noun
plural closes
Britannica Dictionary definition of CLOSE
[count] British
: the area and buildings that are around a cathedral
: a road that is closed at one end used in street names
compare 4close