close-in: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Low frequency; specialized)Formal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “close-in” mean?
situated or occurring at a short distance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
situated or occurring at a short distance; nearby
denoting proximity in time, space, or relationship; often used to describe supportive military or tactical positioning, or a surrounding, encroaching situation
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in American English, particularly in military/defense contexts (e.g., 'close-in defense system'). In UK English, 'close-range' or simply 'close' is often preferred in non-technical contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries technical/military connotations. In everyday use, can sound slightly formal or journalistic.
Frequency
Low frequency in general corpora; spikes in specialized texts (military, sports, urban planning).
Grammar
How to Use “close-in” in a Sentence
used attributively before a noun (close-in N)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “close-in” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Enemy forces began to close in on the besieged town.
American English
- Police closed in on the suspect's hideout.
adjective
British English
- The flat's close-in location made the commute trivial.
American English
- The new destroyer is equipped with a sophisticated close-in defense system.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The close-in deadline forced the team to work overnight."
Academic
"The study focused on close-in planetary systems."
Everyday
"We chose a hotel in a close-in neighborhood to the city center."
Technical
"The ship activated its close-in weapon system against the incoming threat."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “close-in”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “close-in”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “close-in”
- Using it predicatively (*'The weapons are close-in') – it's primarily attributive.
- Confusing with phrasal verb 'close in' (e.g., 'The fog closed in').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when used as an attributive adjective (before a noun), it is typically hyphenated: 'close-in fighting'. When used as a phrasal verb, it is not: 'The police closed in.'
It is unusual. One might say 'close-in advisors' (meaning physically near and intimately involved), but 'close advisors' is more natural. It primarily describes objects, systems, or locations.
They are often synonyms. 'Close-in' can imply a more immediate, surrounding proximity, while 'close-range' is more neutral for any short distance. 'Close-in' is more specific to certain technical fields.
Yes, it is formal and leans towards technical register. In casual conversation, 'nearby', 'close by', or 'short-range' are more common alternatives.
situated or occurring at a short distance.
Close-in: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkləʊs ˈɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkloʊs ˈɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “close-in on (to move nearer to someone/something, especially to catch them)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a circle CLOSING IN on something: whatever is inside the circle is CLOSE-IN.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROXIMITY IS CONTAINMENT (the target is surrounded by what is close-in)
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'close-in' MOST typically used?