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close · verb /kloʊz/Full view
Nouns: close, closing, closure
Adjectives: closed
Verbs: close
close (DOOR/WINDOW)
A1 I or T If something closes, it moves so that it is not open, and if you close something, you make it move so that it is not open.
Dictionary examples:

Could you close the door/window please?

Close your eyes - I've got a surprise for you.

Learner example:

It's [a] phone. It's pink and you can open and close it. (Key English Test; A2; Turkish)

close (PUBLIC PLACE)
A2 I When a store, restaurant or public place closes, people cannot go into it.
Dictionary examples:

The banks had already closed.

The museum closes at 5:30.

Learner example:

Well you have to be here in my house at 1pm, because the sports cent[e]r opens at 1:30pm and closes at 4pm. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

close (STOP OPERATING)
B2 I or T If a business or organization closes, or if someone or something closes it, it stops operating.
Dictionary examples:

The factory closed over ten years ago.

A lot of restaurants/stores are closing because they can't afford the rent.

Learner example:

In addition, I would like you to know that the Hotel Astrid closed last year. (First Certificate in English; B2; Italian)

close (END)
C2 to end, or to end something
Dictionary example:

She closed the meeting with a short speech.

Learner example:

That's how you should close the exhibition: with a question. How much further can Arnold go? (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

close down (sth) or close (sth) down
B2 If a business or organization closes down or someone closes it down, it stops operating.
Dictionary examples:

All the mines in this area were closed down in the 80s.

Our local butcher is closing down.

Learner example:

I must tell you that unfortunately "Hotel Astrid" closed down last year. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

close in
C2 to gradually get nearer to someone, usually in order to attack them or stop them from escaping
Dictionary example:

Police closed in on the demonstrators.

Learner example:

With the [high]way so close by and all the industrial areas closing in on us, where are we to go? (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Danish)

close off sth or close sth off
C1 to put something across the entrance to a place in order to keep people from entering it
Dictionary example:

Police quickly closed off the area.

Learner example:

And while it is being buil[t], it will temporar[il]y cause even more problems for traffic, as some streets will be closed off. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Dutch)

close · adjective /kloʊs/
Nouns: closeness
Adjectives: close
Adverbs: close, closely
close (NEAR)
A1 near in distance, position or time
Dictionary examples:

His house is close to the sea.

Don't get too close to the dog, Rosie.

It was close to lunchtime when we arrived.

Learner example:

It's close to my house. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Urdu)

close (FRIENDLY)
A2 describes people who know each other very well and like each other a lot, or who see and talk to each other a lot
Dictionary examples:

Mira is one of my closest friends.

Her relationship isn't good with her father, but she's very close to her mother.

My brother and I have become much closer over the years.

Learner example:

That night, we had just my family and some of my close friends. (Key English Test; A2; Thai)

close (RELATIVE)
B1 always before noun A close relative is someone who is directly related to you, for example, your mother, father or brother.
Dictionary example:

There weren't many people at the funeral - just close family/relatives.

Learner example:

Tomson has [a] close family, his son lives with them, [and] his company makes a good profit. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)

close (SIMILAR)
C1 having only a small difference
Dictionary examples:

The election results were so close they had to vote again.

He came second in the race, but it was very close.

The youngest boys are so close in age they look like twins.

Learner example:

The over-grazing, the deforestation and the over-cultivation [seem] to be the main causes of the degradation of the agricultural land, the percentages being quite close in value. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Romanian)

close (RELATIONSHIP)
B2 seeing or communicating with someone a lot
Dictionary examples:

I'm still in close contact with my school friends.

Our school has close links with a school in China.

Learner example:

Being in close touch with me for such a long time, you should have known everything about the band. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

close (CAREFUL)
C2 always before noun looking at or listening to someone or something very carefully
Dictionary examples:

On close inspection, you could see that the painting was a fake.

Keep a close watch on the children.

Learner example:

If the parents keep a close watch on their children's activities and friends and advi[s]e them what is right or wrong, this will prevent them from indulging in bad activities. (International English Language Testing System; C2; Hindi)

be/come close to doing sth
C1 to almost achieve or do something
Dictionary example:

We are close to reaching an agreement.

Learner example:

We were very close to reaching our objective. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)

be close to sth
C1 If someone or something is close to a particular state, they are almost in that state.
Dictionary example:

She was close to tears.

Learner example:

"Do you love me?" "Of course I do. I've always loved you." Adrian answered. He was close to tears. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Japanese)

close · adv /kloʊs/
close
B1 near in distance
Dictionary examples:

Come a bit closer.

He stayed close to his mother.

There's a great beach close by.

Learner example:

Aunty told me that there is a Hindu temple close by. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Singhalese)

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