Close (verb, /kləʊz/) — to move something so it is no longer open; to bring to an end: Please close the door. The shop closes at six.
Close (adjective, /kləʊs/) — near in space, time, or relationship; with little distance or difference between two things: We are close friends. The result was very close.
What Does Close Mean?
Close comes from the Old French clos and Latin clausus, the past participle of claudere meaning "to shut". The Latin root also gives us clause, enclose, disclose, and conclude. The word entered Middle English in the 13th century and has been in continuous use ever since.
What makes close unusual — and often tricky for learners — is that the spelling is identical for the verb and the adjective, but the pronunciation changes. The verb ends in a voiced /z/ sound (like nose), while the adjective ends in an unvoiced /s/ sound (like dose). Hearing this difference clearly, and producing it yourself, is a key step towards natural-sounding English.
As a verb, close covers physical actions (close a door, close your eyes) and more abstract ones (close a bank account, close a chapter in your life). As an adjective, it describes proximity in space (the café is close), time (the deadline is close), personal relationships (a close friend), or a narrow margin (a close match).
Etymology
From Old French clos (shut, enclosed) and Medieval Latin clausum, from claudere (to shut). The Proto-Indo-European root *klau- also underlies the German schließen (to close) and the Latin clavis (key), which gives us clef in music and clavicle in anatomy. Close first appeared in written English around 1300.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level & usage note |
|---|---|
| Please close the door when you leave. | A2 — verb, everyday instruction |
| The school is very close to the train station. | A2 — adjective, physical proximity |
| The match was incredibly close — only one point separated the two teams. | B1 — adjective, narrow margin |
| The company decided to close its overseas offices and focus on the domestic market. | B2 — verb, business register |
| Despite the close scrutiny of the committee, no evidence of wrongdoing was found. | C1 — adjective, formal/academic, meaning thorough or careful |
Common Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning / Example |
|---|---|
| close the door / window | Shut a physical opening: Could you close the window? It is getting cold. |
| close a deal | Finalise a business agreement: The sales team closed three deals this week. |
| close an account | End a bank or online account: She closed her account after switching banks. |
| close friend / relative | A person you have a strong bond with: He is a very close friend of mine. |
| a close call / shave | A narrow escape from danger: That was a close call — the car nearly hit us. |
| close attention | Careful, focused observation: Pay close attention to the instructions. |
| close range | A short distance away: The photograph was taken at close range. |
| draw to a close | Come to an end (formal): The conference drew to a close at 5 pm. |
Usage Notes — Formal vs Informal
In everyday speech, close and shut are often interchangeable when referring to physical objects. However, shut tends to sound more forceful or abrupt: "Shut the door!" feels more urgent than "Close the door." In formal or written English, close is generally preferred — you would write close the investigation, not shut the investigation.
The adjective close meaning "stuffy" or "lacking fresh air" (as in a close atmosphere in the room) is somewhat formal and literary; in everyday speech British speakers are more likely to say stuffy or airless.
In academic and professional writing, close reading, close analysis, and close examination are standard collocations meaning careful, detailed study. These are always written with the adjective pronounced /kləʊs/.
Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
Can you close the TV? (incorrect — you turn off, not close, a TV)
Can you turn off the TV? (use turn off for electrical devices)
The station is very closely. (adjective needed, not adverb)
The station is very close. (adjective close, not adverb closely)
I am closed to my sister. (wrong form)
I am close to my sister. (adjective close, not past participle closed)