CLOSE

Definition of CLOSE

CLOSE Adjective, Verb, Adverb and Noun

Main Meaning: Close can be an adjective, verb, adverb, or noun, each with distinct meanings depending on context. As a verb, it refers to the act of shutting something or bringing something to an end. As an adjective, it describes nearness in space, time, or relationship. As an adverb, it expresses proximity or nearness in action or condition. As a noun, it refers to the end or conclusion of something, such as a period of time, a transaction, or an event.

CLOSE as an adjective

As an adjective, close describes something that is near or within a short distance in terms of space, time, or relationship. It refers to the proximity of an object, event, or person. For example, when we say something is close, we often mean it is nearby in distance, such as “The store is close to my house.” In a temporal sense, close refers to something happening soon, such as “The deadline is close.” It also applies to relationships, describing a bond between people that is intimate or personal, such as “They have a close friendship.”

Close in Space: In spatial terms, close refers to objects or people that are positioned near each other. This could be in terms of physical distance, as in “The two houses are close together,” or it might imply minimal space between individuals, like “We are sitting close to each other.” In this context, close conveys a sense of nearness, but it is not always an exact measurement—it indicates proximity without specifying precise distances.

Close in Time: When used to describe time, close suggests that something is imminent or about to happen in the near future. For instance, “The event is close” means it is soon to occur. It can also describe the end of a period, such as “The meeting is close to finishing,” indicating that it is near its conclusion. This temporal use implies a narrowing gap between the present and the anticipated moment.

Close in Relationships: As an adjective, close can also refer to the depth of a personal relationship, indicating strong emotional ties or intimacy. For example, “They have a close family” refers to a family that shares a deep bond, and “She is a close friend” means they share a strong, supportive, and personal connection. This use highlights emotional closeness, trust, and affection, often indicating a relationship that is not superficial but built on mutual respect and care.

CLOSE as a verb

As a verb, close means to bring something to an end or shut something in a physical, metaphorical, or organizational sense. For example, “Please close the door” refers to physically shutting it, while “The shop will close at 6 p.m.” refers to ending the shop’s business hours for the day. It can also be used to describe ending or concluding activities, such as “The meeting will close after the final discussion.”

Close in Physical Action: When used physically, close means to bring two things together, reducing the space between them. This can refer to closing a door, window, or container, as well as to physical proximity, like when someone closes the gap between themselves and another person. It implies an action of sealing or enclosing something to restrict or prevent entry or exit.

Close in Ending: In a broader sense, close can mean to end or finish something, such as an event, conversation, or process. For instance, “Let’s close the meeting” means to finish the meeting, while “The case was closed after the final verdict” indicates the conclusion of a legal matter. This verb is used in contexts where completion or cessation is involved.

CLOSE as an adverb

As an adverb, close describes the manner in which an action happens or how near something is in relation to another. For example, “The two friends sat close together” implies physical proximity. In the context of time, one might say, “The event is happening close by,” meaning it is in the near future. In both these uses, close emphasizes the degree of nearness, whether in physical space or temporal events.

CLOSE as a noun

As a noun, close can refer to an enclosed area or a small, private road, often in residential contexts. For example, a “cul-de-sac” might be referred to as a close in some regions. It can also describe a conclusion or ending of something, as in “The close of the book left me thinking.” In this case, it implies the final part or end of something, whether it be a narrative, event, or activity.

Close in Strategic Contexts: In strategic or competitive contexts, close can describe the narrowing down of a contest or effort. For example, “The race is close” means the competition is tight, with no clear winner yet. Similarly, in business, “We’re close to a deal” refers to reaching a point where an agreement is near or imminent. In this sense, close reflects a situation where progress or completion is near, but not yet achieved.

Close in Sports and Competitions: In sports, close often refers to a situation where two teams or competitors are nearly equal in skill, score, or performance, leading to an exciting or uncertain outcome. “The game was close, with only a few points separating the teams” is an example of this usage. It implies that the outcome is still uncertain, and the difference between success and failure is minimal.

Close and the Concept of Privacy: Close is also used to describe relationships that are private or not widely shared. “They have a close-knit team” or “We have a close circle of friends” both refer to tight, private networks where people share deep bonds and mutual trust. This sense of closeness emphasizes privacy, exclusivity, and personal connection.

Close in the Context of Safety or Security: In some contexts, close also conveys the idea of securing or protecting something from risk. For instance, “The windows need to be closed securely” indicates that they must be shut properly to ensure safety. Similarly, “He stood close to the exit” suggests positioning oneself near a safe or secure location, often for protection or ease of escape.

In conclusion, close is a versatile word that serves various functions as an adjective, verb, adverb, and noun. As an adjective, it can describe proximity in space, time, or relationships, emphasizing nearness or intimacy. As a verb, it refers to the act of bringing something to an end, sealing something shut, or reducing a gap. As an adverb, it accentuates the nearness of an action or event. Finally, as a noun, close can refer to an enclosed space or the conclusion of something. The word captures both physical and figurative senses of nearness, intimacy, and conclusion, making it integral to expressing relationships, actions, and situations.

Examples of CLOSE in a sentence

CLOSE as an adjective in a sentence

• They have a close relationship, often sharing their thoughts and feelings with each other.
• The close proximity of the store makes it convenient for us to shop regularly.
• She gave a close examination of the report to ensure there were no errors.
• The close ties between the two countries led to a strong economic partnership.
• The close match between the teams made for an exciting game.
• His close attention to detail made him an excellent editor.
• The close bond between the siblings helped them navigate through tough times.
• The weather forecast predicted close temperatures all week, with little variation.

CLOSE as a verb in a sentence

• Please close the door when you leave the room.
• The store will close early today due to the holiday.
• She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm down.
• They decided to close the deal after months of negotiation.
• He closed the window to keep the cold air out.
• The company had to close several branches due to budget cuts.
• The speaker closed her presentation with a powerful quote.
• Let’s close the meeting and follow up by email tomorrow.

CLOSE as an adverb in a sentence

• She stood close to the edge of the cliff, looking down at the valley.
• The car passed close to the cyclist, causing a moment of panic.
• He followed close behind his friend as they navigated the crowd.
• The deer let me get surprisingly close before running away.
• The deadline is drawing close, so we need to hurry.
• They live close enough to walk to each other’s houses.
• Keep the instructions close at hand while assembling the furniture.
• The train came close to derailing but was brought safely to a stop.

CLOSE as a noun in a sentence

• The match came to a dramatic close after extra time and penalties.
• At the close of the ceremony, the crowd applauded loudly.
• The close of the year is a time for reflection and celebration.
• She remained silent until the close of the discussion.
• The film kept the audience engaged right up to the close.
• The company reported strong profits at the close of the quarter.
• Investors were optimistic as the market approached the close.
• He stood to speak at the close of the conference.

Origin of CLOSE

The term close has a multifaceted etymology, encompassing a range of meanings from its origins in physical proximity to more abstract usages related to relationships and actions.

Semantic Context: Close can describe physical proximity, the act of shutting or securing something, or the intensity of a relationship or connection. It can also be used to indicate something being near in time or similarity.

• Etymological Roots: The word close comes from the Old French clos, meaning “enclosed” or “shut,” which in turn comes from the Latin claudere, meaning “to shut” or “to close off.” This Latin root is related to the verb clausus, meaning “shut” or “closed.” The idea of closing something off, either physically or metaphorically, is central to the term’s evolution.
• Historical Development: Close was used in English from the 12th century, primarily in the context of enclosing or shutting something. Over time, the word expanded to encompass various senses of proximity, both physical (as in “close to”) and abstract (as in “close relationships”). By the 14th century, it was also used to describe the act of securing or shutting something, as well as in terms of nearness in time or degree.
• Cultural and Scientific Applications: In modern contexts, close is used in many different fields. In physical contexts, it refers to something being near or in proximity, such as “a close distance” or “close quarters.” In relationships, close can describe a strong, intimate connection, such as a “close friend” or a “close family member.” In technical fields, close might refer to the act of sealing something, such as “closing a door” or “closing a deal” in business terms. It is also frequently used in time-related contexts, like “the deadline is close.”
• Current Usage: Today, close has multiple common uses. Physically, it refers to proximity, as in “standing close to someone.” It can also describe the act of shutting something, such as “close the door.” In a more abstract sense, close describes relationships that are intimate or strong, like “a close friend” or “a close bond.” Additionally, close is often used in relation to time, indicating something approaching, as in “the event is close,” or “a close finish” in sports.

The term close has evolved from its original meaning of “shutting off” or “enclosing” to encompass a broad range of uses, from physical proximity to emotional intimacy and time. This adaptability reflects the term’s versatility in the English language.