klosse
Very High (A1)Neutral – used in all registers from informal to formal.
Definition
Meaning
To shut or bring something to an end.
To complete or conclude something; to move something so as to block an opening; to be near in space, time, or relationship.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word 'close' has distinct meanings based on its part of speech (verb, adjective, adverb, noun) and pronunciation (/kləʊz/ vs /kləʊs/). As a verb and noun, it relates to shutting or concluding. As an adjective/adverb, it relates to proximity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling differences in derived forms (e.g., 'closure' is standard in both, but BrE may use 'closing time' more commonly for pubs). The adjective/adverb usage is identical.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both varieties. 'Close the deal' is common in business contexts in both.
Frequency
Equally frequent and core in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
close + NP (object)close + NP + to + NPNP + close (intransitive)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “close, but no cigar”
- “close the book on something”
- “close ranks”
- “a close shave”
- “too close for comfort”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To finalize an agreement or transaction. 'We aim to close the merger by Friday.'
Academic
To conclude a section or argument. 'The author closes the chapter with a summary.'
Everyday
To shut a door, window, or app. 'Can you close the window, please?'
Technical
In computing, to terminate a connection or file. 'The function fails if you do not close the socket.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Please close the gate properly.
- The shop closes at half five.
- She closed her speech with a quote.
American English
- Please close the gate properly.
- The store closes at five-thirty.
- She closed her speech with a quote.
adverb
British English
- Come sit close to the fire.
- He followed close behind.
- The deadline is drawing close.
American English
- Come sit close to the fireplace.
- He followed close behind.
- The deadline is getting close.
adjective
British English
- They are close relatives.
- The post office is quite close.
- It was a close match.
American English
- They are close relatives.
- The post office is really close.
- It was a close game.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Close the book, please.
- My house is close to the school.
- The window is closed.
- We need to close the meeting by 3 PM.
- She lives close to her workplace.
- The two teams have a close rivalry.
- The government decided to close the loophole in the law.
- His analysis was close to the truth but missed a key detail.
- They maintained a close watch on the suspect.
- The negotiators worked tirelessly to close the complex deal.
- Her interpretation of the data was uncomfortably close to plagiarism.
- The novel's ending feels abrupt, failing to close its thematic circles satisfactorily.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a door with a large 'Z' on it. To CLOSE (/kləʊz/) it, you need to use the 'Z' (the sound) to shut it.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENDINGS ARE CLOSINGS (e.g., close a chapter, close a deal); INTIMACY IS CLOSENESS (e.g., a close friend).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not translating the adjective 'close' (near) as 'закрытый' (which is the participle from 'to close/shut'). The adjective is 'близкий'.
- Confusing the verb 'close' with 'clothes' due to similar spelling.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing the verb as /kləʊs/ (like the adjective).
- Using 'close' as an adjective in the wrong word order, e.g., 'a friend close' instead of 'a close friend'.
- Using 'close the light' (non-standard) instead of 'turn off the light'.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'close' as an adjective?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The verb (and noun) is pronounced /kləʊz/ (BrE) /kloʊz/ (AmE) with a 'z' sound. The adjective (and adverb) is pronounced /kləʊs/ (BrE) /kloʊs/ (AmE) with an 's' sound.
Yes, though less common. As a noun, it refers to an end or conclusion (e.g., 'at the close of play') or, in British English, a dead-end street (e.g., 'He lives on a quiet close').
No, it is a common error among learners. The correct phrases are 'turn off the light', 'switch off the light', or simply 'put the light out'.
The correct translation is 'a close friend'. A direct translation like 'a closed friend' would be incorrect, as 'closed' refers to something being shut, not to proximity or intimacy.