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273 1.6
The end of an event, period, or activity
  • noun
  • /kloʊs/
translation icon : final
  • As the military struggle nears its close, the political struggle intensifies.
  • draw to a close
  • come to a close
  • bring to a close

Examples

  • As 1990 came to a close, the Catholic bishops seemed to be succeeding.

    Academic text (1999)
  • This brings to a close our special broadcast.

  • Can you tell us, as we come to the close of today, what is your seed?

  • So I'm going to bring it to a close and say thanks to everybody.

  • As the week drew to a close, the lucky winner was a very emotional Miss from Alabama.

  • It's been a four-year plan, and it's coming to a close today.

  • The 23 September cease-fire brought to a close the war of liberation.

    Academic text (1991)
  • As the season drew to a close, the stadium stood empty in an intentional boycott.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The conference limped to a sad close, leaving a legacy of mistrust and suspicion among the major participants.

    Academic text (2011)
  • As our summer vacation came to a close, we reflected on our favorite moments.

Synonyms

end
vsclose
1.0

The final part of something, like an event or story

is the general word for the last moment or stage
ending
vsclose
398 1.0

The final part of something, like an event, story, or relationship

is broader, applying to any kind of last moment or stage
closing
vsclose
305 2.3

The last part when something ends, for example a meeting

focuses on the end itself rather than the act of bringing it about
finale
vsclose
180 3.6

The last, most exciting part of a show or event

is more neutral and applies to ordinary last parts as well
conclusion
vsclose
167 2.2

The last part of an event, activity, or piece of writing

is used for any ending, not only summary parts of texts
end of the line
vsclose
47 4.1

The point when something stops or finishes

is the common term for any last moment, not only final endings
finish
vsclose
39 1.0

The final part of an event or activity

is a more general term for a last phase or moment
tail end
vsclose
13 3.5

The last part of something, especially a period or event

is the general final part and may be larger in scope
endpoint
vsclose
11 5.4

A place or time when something ends

is the broader idea of a last moment rather than a location
windup
vsclose
8 5.1

The final part of an event or activity

is the general word for any last part, not specifically an action
termination
vsclose
3 5.5

The end point of something like a road or tunnel

is the everyday notion of a last part, not a formal boundary
stopping point
vsclose
1 3.1

A time when an activity or event ends

covers the same idea but in general terms rather than timing focus
end point
vsclose
1 3.9

The place or moment when something finishes

is the general notion of a last phase, not the precise spot
wind-up
vsclose
  • UK
1 3.6

The final part of an event or activity

is broader and not limited to brief wrap up moments

Antonyms

1.0

The first part of something when it starts

1.0

The time or place when something begins

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

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'

Surface Forms

close singular
closes plural

Etymology

Close (noun, the end) comes from the old root claudere 'to shut', used for finishing by 'shutting' an activity. So the close of a concert or meeting is its end or conclusion.