- 1 [transitive, intransitive] close (something) to put something into a position so that it covers an opening; to get into this position synonym shut Would anyone mind if I closed the window? She closed the gate behind her. It's dark now—let's close the curtains. I closed my eyes against the bright light. The doors open and close automatically. opposite open Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverbfirmly, tightly, gently, … See full entry book/umbrella, etc.
- 2 [transitive] close something (up) to move the parts of something together so that it is no longer open synonym shut to close a book/an umbrella opposite open Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverbfirmly, tightly, gently, … See full entry shop/store/business, etc.
- 3 [transitive, often passive, intransitive] to make the work of a shop/store, etc. stop for a period of time; to not be open for people to use close something (for something) The museum has been closed for renovation. close something (to somebody/something) The road was closed to traffic for two days. close (for something) What time does the bank close? We close for lunch between twelve and two. opposite open Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverbpermanently, temporarily, officially, … prepositionto See full entry
- 4 [transitive, intransitive] close (something) (also close down, close somethingdown) if a company, shop/store, etc. closes, or if you close it, it stops operating as a business The club was closed by the police. The hospital closed at the end of last year. The play closed after just three nights. opposite open Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverbpermanently, temporarily, officially, … prepositionto See full entry end
- 5 [transitive, intransitive] to end or make something end The meeting will close at 10.00 p.m. The offer closes at the end of the week. close something to close a meeting/debate to close a case/an investigation to close an account (= to stop keeping money in a bank account) The subject is now closed (= we will not discuss it again). Which Word?close / shutYou can close and shut doors, windows, your eyes, mouth, etc. Shut can suggest more noise and is often found in phrases such as slammed shut, banged shut, snapped shut. Shut is also usually used for containers such as boxes, suitcases, etc. To talk about the time when shops, offices, etc. are not open, use close or shut:What time do the banks close/shut? A strike has shut the factory. You can also use closed or shut (North American English usually closed):The store is closed/shut today. Especially in North American English, shut can sound less polite. Closed is used in front of a noun, but shut is not:a closed window. We usually use closed about roads, airports, etc:The road is closed because of the snow. Close is also used in formal English to talk about ending a meeting or conversation. opposite open Express YourselfWrapping up a discussionIn a formal meeting or conference, you may have to bring the session to a close. Here are some ways to get people to stop speaking: I’m afraid time is running out/we’re running out of time, so we'll have to make this the final question. We've only got a couple of minutes left, so can we summarize what we've agreed? I'd like to close the session with a few final remarks… We'll have to leave it there, but thank you all very much for your input. Well, that's all we have time for today, but we'll meet again on Tuesday. I'd like to thank you all for coming and for a very productive meeting.
- 6[transitive] close something to arrange and settle a business deal Right now we are trying to close the deal with our sponsors. finance
- 7[intransitive] close (at something) to be worth a particular amount at the end of the day’s business Shares in the company closed at 265p. closing prices distance/difference
- 8[transitive, intransitive] close (something) to make the distance or difference between two people or things smaller; to become smaller or narrower These measures are aimed at closing the gap between rich and poor. The gap between the two top teams is closing all the time. hold firmly
- 9[transitive, intransitive] close (something) about/around/over somebody/something to hold something/somebody firmly She closed her hand over his. Her hand closed over his. Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French clos-, stem of clore, from Latin claudere ‘to shut’.Extra examples He closed the door firmly. She gently closed the door behind her. That factory’s been closed down now. The museum has been temporarily closed to the public. Tomorrow college officially closes for the vacation. A police spokesman said that the case was now closed. Can you help me close this umbrella? It was a pity the business closed. It’s dark now—let’s close the curtains. Mr Hunt then closed the debate for the government. She closed her eyes and fell asleep immediately. The meeting will close at 10 p.m. The subject is now closed. They are closing their Liverpool factory.Idioms
- 1if a group of people close ranks, they work closely together to defend themselves, especially when they are being criticized It's not unusual for the police to close ranks when one of their officers is being investigated.
- 2if soldiers close ranks, they move closer together in order to defend themselves
verb jump to other results
BrE BrE//kləʊz//; NAmE NAmE//kloʊz//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they close BrE BrE//kləʊz//; NAmE NAmE//kloʊz//
he / she / it closes BrE BrE//ˈkləʊzɪz//; NAmE NAmE//ˈkloʊzɪz//
past simple closed BrE BrE//kləʊzd//; NAmE NAmE//kloʊzd//
past participle closed BrE BrE//kləʊzd//; NAmE NAmE//kloʊzd//
-ing form closing BrE BrE//ˈkləʊzɪŋ//; NAmE NAmE//ˈkloʊzɪŋ//
to stop doing something because you no longer believe you will be successful or will find a solution The police have closed the book on the case (= they have stopped trying to solve it).
to make it unlikely that something will happen She was careful not to close the door on the possibility of further talks.
(of a business, etc.) to stop trading The factory closed its doors for the last time in 2009.
to refuse to think about something as a possibility
to refuse to listen to something She decided to shut her ears to all the rumours.
to pretend that you have not noticed something so that you do not have to deal with it You can't just close your eyes to his violence. They seem intent on shutting their eyes to the problems of pollution.
having enough experience to be able to do something easily I've made this trip so often, I could do it with my eyes shut. Phrasal Verbsclose downclose inclose offclose outclose overclose up
Check pronunciation: close
