n.

1. the temporal end; the concluding time;
   stopping point, finale, finis, finish, last, conclusion
   
   • the stopping point of each round was signaled by a bell
   • the market was up at the finish
   • they were playing better at the close of the season
2. the last section of a communication;
   conclusion, end, closing, ending
   
   • in conclusion I want to say...
3. the concluding part of any performance;
   finale, closing curtain, finis

v.

1. cease to operate or cause to cease operating;
   close up, fold, shut down, close down
   
   • The owners decided to move and to close the factory
   • My business closes every night at 8 P.M.
   • close up the shop
2. complete a business deal, negotiation, or an agreement
   
   • We closed on the house on Friday
   • They closed the deal on the building
3. move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut;
   shut
   
   • Close the door
   • shut the window
4. bar access to
   
   • Due to the accident, the road had to be closed for several hours
5. finish or terminate (meetings, speeches, etc.)
   
   • The meeting was closed with a charge by the chairman of the board
6. draw near
   
   • The probe closed with the space station
7. come to a close;
   conclude
   
   • The concert closed with a nocturne by Chopin
8. become closed;
   shut
   
   • The windows closed with a loud bang
9. come together, as if in an embrace;
   come together
   
   • Her arms closed around her long lost relative
10. unite or bring into contact or bring together the edges of;
    close up
    
    • close the circuit
    • close a wound
    • close a book
    • close up an umbrella
11. bring together all the elements or parts of
    
    • Management closed ranks
12. engage at close quarters
    
    • close with the enemy
13. be priced or listed when trading stops
    
    • The stock market closed high this Friday
    • My new stocks closed at $59 last night
14. cause a window or an application to disappear on a computer desktop
15. change one's body stance so that the forward shoulder and foot are closer to the intended point of impact
16. fill or stop up;
    fill up
    
    • Can you close the cracks with caulking?
17. finish a game in baseball by protecting a lead
    
    • The relief pitcher closed with two runs in the second inning

adj.

1. at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
   
   • close to noon
   • how close are we to town?
   • a close formation of ships
2. close in relevance or relationship
   
   • a close family
   • we are all...in close sympathy with...
   • close kin
   • a close resemblance
3. not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances;
   near, nigh
   
   • near neighbors
   • in the near future
   • they are near equals
   • his nearest approach to success
   • a very near thing
   • a near hit by the bomb
   • she was near tears
   • she was close to tears
   • had a close call
4. rigorously attentive; strict and thorough
   
   • close supervision
   • paid close attention
   • a close study
   • kept a close watch on expenditures
5. marked by fidelity to an original;
   faithful
   
   • a close translation
   • a faithful copy of the portrait
   • a faithful rendering of the observed facts
6. (of a contest or contestants) evenly matched;
   tight
   
   • a close contest
   • a close election
   • a tight game
7. crowded;
   confining
   
   • close quarters
8. lacking fresh air;
   airless, stuffy, unaired
   
   • a dusty airless attic
   • the dreadfully close atmosphere
   • hot and stuffy and the air was blue with smoke
9. of textiles;
   tight
   
   • a close weave
   • smooth percale with a very tight weave
10. strictly confined or guarded
    
    • kept under close custody
11. confined to specific persons
    
    • a close secret
12. fitting closely but comfortably;
    snug, close-fitting
    
    • a close fit
13. used of hair or haircuts
    
    • a close military haircut
14. giving or spending with reluctance;
    cheeseparing, near, penny-pinching, skinny
    
    • our cheeseparing administration
    • very close (or near) with his money
    • a penny-pinching miserly old man
15. inclined to secrecy or reticence about divulging information;
    closelipped, closemouthed, secretive, tightlipped
    
    • although they knew her whereabouts her friends kept close about it

adv.

1. near in time or place or relationship;
   near, nigh
   
   • as the wedding day drew near
   • stood near the door
   • don't shoot until they come near
   • getting near to the true explanation
   • her mother is always near
   • The end draws nigh
   • the bullet didn't come close
   • don't get too close to the fire
2. in an attentive manner;
   closely, tight
   
   • he remained close on his guard