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to close

to close

650 1.5
To move toward something to touch or hold it
  • verb
  • /kloʊz/
translation icon : acercarse
  • The project will help Russia close the gap between its military and those of the West.
  • close the gap
  • close the distance

It was a shortcut that could close gaps quickly.

Examples

  • As the sun set, they could see the hikers closing in on the summit of the mountain.

  • The team worked hard to close the distance between them and their competitors during the final laps.

  • General, we're closing in on Zandor's house as we speak.

  • It was a shortcut that could close gaps quickly.

  • Let's close that gap.

  • The detective was closing in on the suspect after following several leads.

Synonyms

to approach
vsto close
532 2.1

To move closer in space to a person or thing

also means reducing distance and can imply engagement
to close in
vsto close
119 4.6

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

is used for general movement and does not require surrounding
to near
vsto close
115 1.0

Move closer to someone or something

is broader, including both movement and strong interaction
to get closer to
vsto close
105 1.9

Make progress toward finishing or achieving something

is mostly about physical movement rather than progress toward goals
to close in on
vsto close
63 3.9

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

is broader, applying to any movement toward a target not only attack
to come near
vsto close
56 1.8

To move closer in space or time

is used when movement also reduces space and involves interaction
to draw near
vsto close
18 2.6

To move closer in place or time

is similar but can stress active engagement as well
to draw close
vsto close
8 2.9

Move nearer to someone or something

also emphasizes reducing space and engaging

Antonyms

466 2.8

To stop taking part in a place or activity

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 Near

to reach
1.0
to close
650 1.5
to come up to
184 2.2
to approach
532 2.1
toward
  • US
1.0

Surface Forms

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

Etymology

Close (verb, to move near or to protect) comes from the idea of bringing things together from the root claudere 'to shut' or 'join'. So to close your arms around someone is to pull them 'near' and protect them.