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to close

to close

1.0
To shut something so it is not open
  • verb
  • /kloʊz/
translation icon : cerrar
  • He decided to close the computer application before the meeting started.
  • close the door
  • open or close
  • close the gap

You don't want to close your own door.

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Examples

Synonyms

to shut
vsto close
1.0

To close something so it is not open

is the general action meaning to make something not open
to seal
vsto close
457 2.5

To close something tightly to stop air or water getting in

is similar but includes non-airtight ways of making inaccessible
to shut out
vsto close
99 3.8

To stop something from entering, being included, or being thought about

is the general act of making inaccessible, not only social exclusion
to shutter
vsto close
29 4.6

To close windows or doors by putting covers over them

is broader, not limited to using external panels for covering
to close off
vsto close
24 3.9

Stop people or vehicles from entering a place

is the general idea of making inaccessible, not only blocking passages
to slam shut
vsto close
  • Informal
17 2.7

To close a door or window quickly and hard so it makes a loud noise

describes the same result but without violent force or noise
to close up
vsto close
15 3.7

To bring the edges of something together so there is no gap

is about making inaccessible in general, not only sealing edges
to close the window
vsto close
14 1.0

To shut a window so it is not open

is the broader act of making things inaccessible or not open
12 1.0

Shut the door after you go through so it stays closed

is the general action, not only doing this after leaving
to shut off
vsto close
11 4.0

Prevent someone or somewhere from having contact with others

focuses on making inaccessible physically rather than blocking connections
to seal off
vsto close
3 3.7

Close something tightly so nothing can get in or out

is the general act of making inaccessible, not only airtight closures
4.4

Close the cover on a window or door by moving it down

covers the general action of making openings inaccessible rather than this motion
to stopple
vsto close
  • Archaic
9.9

To close a bottle or jar with a small plug

is the broader action of making not open, not only with stoppers
to inclose
vsto close
  • Archaic
7.8

Surround something completely on all sides to shut it in

is more general, covering blocking without full surrounding
to shut in
vsto close
5.1

Surround something completely so it cannot get out or move

is about making inaccessible generally, not only trapping inside

Antonyms

1.0

To make something not closed so you can get in

3 3.1

Remove something that stops a pipe, machine, or blood vessel from working

Idioms

Very near to someone or something at a short distance

To permanently stop operating as a business or organization

Look at a person or thing very carefully for a while to notice problems

Near you and easy to reach

Likely to happen very soon

To stop living

close to the wind
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Sailing with the boat pointed almost into the wind to go as directly toward it as possible

To not tell people your plans or feelings to get an advantage

1 8.1

To do something risky that almost breaks rules or laws

To do something useful only after it is already too late

Behaving in a way that is risky or near the limit of what is allowed

as close as wax
  • Archaic
9.9

People who are very close and share secrets and feelings

Phrasal Verbs

To shut your eyelids or ignore a problem and take a risk

119 4.6

Surround or enclose a place by bringing things nearer from all sides

94 2.9

To stop operating permanently, like a shop or company

72 2.9

To be almost as good as something in quality or amount

Move nearer to someone or something, often to surround and catch them

51 2.8

To nearly do or experience something but fail to do it

44 3.5

To stop a shop or business from operating

24 3.9

Stop people or vehicles from entering a place

To end, often after a meeting or event

19 3.9

Finish a project, account, or process

15 3.7

To bring the edges of something together so there is no gap

To shut a window so it is not open

Shut the door after you go through so it stays closed

To stop doing business for a short time or forever

11 2.1

At a very short distance

10 4.8

To stop talking and say nothing

Come together to support each other in hard times

Move nearer to someone or something

to cut it close
  • Informal
6 5.0

To leave very little time before something happens and risk being late

5 5.3

Decide that a matter has ended and do nothing more about it

Pull someone toward yourself to comfort or protect them

3 4.3

Sell all remaining stock at low prices to end a business

1 6.5

Prevent a chance or option from being used

To stop an idea or plan from happening by rejecting it

Keep a person or thing tightly against your body

Shut your eyes to rest, relax, or not see something

Compounds

close-up
  • Specialized
125 3.4

A photograph or film shot that shows small details from very close

Near each other with very little space between them

close call
  • Informal
43 3.7

A situation when something bad almost happens but is avoided

A small crowded space where people are too close to each other

11 2.3

Careful, constant watching of people or things to notice problems

close shave
  • Informal
3 3.9

A situation where you almost have something bad happen

1 5.1

Placed very near each other, often for eyes or teeth

close order
  • Specialized
1 7.4

A tight group of soldiers standing or marching together for drill

close support
  • Specialized
1 7.3

Help for soldiers from nearby troops that attack the enemy

Fighting that happens at very short distance between people, often hand-to-hand

close-hauled
  • Specialized
1 9.2

Sailing as close to the wind as possible with sails pulled in tight

7.8

Putting the cut edges of tissue together so they touch and heal

close corporation
  • South African
7.3

A company that a small group of people own and run and whose shares are not sold to the public

4.7

A time when people may not hunt or fish to protect animals

close supporting fire
  • Specialized
8.5

Gunfire aimed near friendly troops to protect them from immediate enemy threats

7.7

A speech sound made with the tongue close to the roof of the mouth, like the sound in see

close-order drill
  • Specialized
8.4

Soldiers march shoulder to shoulder in a set formation for parades

A floor with tiles put very close together leaving tiny gaps

5.3

A short polite phrase that comes before the signature in a formal letter, like 'Sincerely' or 'Best regards'

How Closed

to seal
457 2.5
to bar
7 2.8
to close
1.0
to open
1.0

Surface Forms

close infinitive
closed past
closed past participle
closing present participle
closes third person singular

Etymology

Close (verb, to shut) comes from an old Latin word claudere meaning 'to shut' or 'lock'. Think of closure or closet from the same root; so to close a door is literally to 'shut' it.