close
- 01 A1 Beginner
v.to move something so that an opening is covered or blocked.
v.to move a door, lid, or cover into a position that obstructs an aperture. Pronounced with a /z/ sound.
Simple“Please close the window if you feel a cold breeze coming in.”
In context“The heavy oak doors close automatically once the security system is engaged at midnight.”
UsageThis verb is transitive when you move the object, but can be intransitive if the object moves itself (e.g., 'the door closed').
- 02 A2 Elementary
v.to bring something to an end, like a meeting or a bank account.
v.to bring an activity, period of time, or commercial arrangement to a conclusion. Pronounced with a /z/ sound.
Simple“The shop will close for the holidays starting next Monday.”
In context“The chairman decided to close the session early after the committee reached a unanimous decision on the budget.”
UsageOften used with 'down' to describe a business stopping operations permanently.
- 03 A1 Beginner
adj.only a short distance away in space or time.
adj.situated at only a slight distance in space or time. Pronounced with an /s/ sound.
Simple“Our house is very close to the train station, so it is easy to travel.”
In context“The hotel is situated in a prime location, close to both the financial district and the historic waterfront.”
UsageUsually followed by the preposition 'to'.
- 04 A2 Elementary
adj.knowing someone very well and liking them very much.
adj.characterised by a strong emotional bond or intimate relationship. Pronounced with an /s/ sound.
Simple“She has a very close relationship with her sister and they talk every day.”
In context“Despite living in different countries for a decade, they remained close friends through regular correspondence.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.looking at something very carefully to see all the details.
adj.characterised by strict attention to detail or rigorous observation. Pronounced with an /s/ sound.
Simple“On close inspection, the painting appeared to be a clever copy.”
In context“A close examination of the data revealed several inconsistencies that the initial researchers had overlooked.”
- 06 B1 Intermediate
n.the end of a period of time or an activity.
n.the conclusion or termination of an event or period. Pronounced with a /z/ sound.
Simple“The festival came to a close with a spectacular fireworks display.”
In context“As the trading day drew to a close, stock prices began to stabilise after a morning of heavy volatility.”
Synonyms - 07 B1 Intermediate
n.a small street that has no way out at one end.
n.a residential street or cul-de-sac that is closed at one end. Pronounced with an /s/ sound.
Simple“They live in a quiet close where children can play safely outside.”
In context“The property is located at the end of a leafy close, ensuring minimal through-traffic and a peaceful environment.”
Teacher's tipIn the UK, this is often used in street names, such as 'Orchard Close'.
Synonymscul de sacdead end - 08 A2 Elementary
adv.near to someone or something.
adv.in a position near to something else. Pronounced with an /s/ sound.
Simple“The two runners were following close behind the leader.”
In context“The security guards stayed close to the entrance to monitor everyone entering the building.”
close vs closely — Close describes physical or temporal proximity, while closely describes the degree of attention or the tightness of a connection.
Usage close enough · close range · close friends