What does close mean?
"Close" is one of English's most versatile everyday words, serving as an adjective, verb, noun, and adverb. As an adjective it describes physical or emotional proximity — a close friend, a close race, a close look at the evidence. As a verb (pronounced with a 'z' sound), it means to shut something or bring it to an end, whether closing a door, closing a bank account, or closing a meeting. As a noun it marks an ending, as in "the close of the year." The word derives from Latin "clausus," the past participle of "claudere" (to shut), making it a cousin of "closet," "disclose," and "enclose." Its range makes it indispensable: few other single words cover both intimacy and termination so naturally. Learners should watch the pronunciation split between the adjective and verb forms, one of English's small but telling quirks.
Near in space, time, or relationship; giving careful or thorough attention.
"The hotel is close to the beach."
Pronounced /kloʊs/.
To shut something, or to bring an activity, business, or period to an end.
"Please close the window before you leave."
Pronounced /kloʊz/ with a voiced 'z'.
The end or conclusion of something.
"At the close of the ceremony, the choir sang a final hymn."
In British English, can also mean a cul-de-sac or enclosed courtyard.
The same four letters can mean "nearby," "to shut," or even "a dead end street" in Britain — context does all the work.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of close
"Close" entered Middle English from Old French "clos," itself derived from Latin "clausus," the past participle of "claudere," meaning "to shut." This Latin root also gave English "closet," "disclose," "enclose," and "exclude." The word has carried its core sense of shutting or enclosure since antiquity, later extending metaphorically to closeness in space, time, and feeling.
Related word forms
How close is actually used
Note that the verb is pronounced /kloʊz/ with a voiced 'z' sound, while the adjective and noun use /kloʊs/ with an 's' sound — a distinction many learners miss. The adjective carries no strong register constraints and works equally well in formal and informal contexts. In British English, "close" as a noun can also mean a residential cul-de-sac or enclosed courtyard.
Easily confused with close
"Clothes" refers to garments you wear, while "close" means near or to shut; they differ in spelling and meaning despite similar sounds.