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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | clos, past participle of clore 'to close', from Latin claudere |
1 to shut something in order to cover an opening, or to become shut in this way [= shut; ≠ open; ↪ closed]: 
Would you mind if I closed the window?She closed the curtains. Let me do the car door - it won't close properly. She heard the door close behind her.
shut
[intransitive and transitive]
Would you mind if I closed the window?She closed the curtains.Let me do the car door - it won't close properly.She heard the door close behind her.2 to move the parts of something together so that there is no longer a space between them : Anne closed her book and stood up.
move parts together
[intransitive and transitive]Anne closed her book and stood up.3 if a shop or building closes, or you close it, it stops being open to the public for a period of time [≠ open [= shut BrE; ↪ closed]: The shops close at six. Harry usually closes the store completely when he goes on vacation.
shut for period of time
[intransitive and transitive] also close upThe shops close at six.Harry usually closes the store completely when he goes on vacation.4 if a company, shop etc closes, or you close it, it stops operating permanently [= shut down; ↪ closed]: We have reluctantly decided to close the factory. The shop closed down some time last year.
stop operating
[intransitive and transitive] also close downWe have reluctantly decided to close the factory.The shop closed down some time last year.5 to end or to make something end, especially in a particular way
end
[intransitive and transitive] closing remarks (=something you say at the end of a speech) In her closing remarks, the judge urged the jury to consider the facts only.
In her closing remarks, the judge urged the jury to consider the facts only.6 to stop having and using a bank account or other financial account : My husband closed all my credit card accounts without even asking me.
close an account
BFBMy husband closed all my credit card accounts without even asking me.7 to be worth a particular amount of money at the end of a day's trading (=the buying and selling of shares ) on the stock exchange
in money markets
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition]BFS close at The dollar closed at 64p against the pound. close up/down Their shares closed 27p up (=worth 27p more).
The dollar closed at 64p against the pound.Their shares closed 27p up (=worth 27p more).9 to finish on a particular date [= end]: Our special offer closes on June 3.
offer finishes
[intransitive]Our special offer closes on June 3.10 to make the distance or difference between two things smaller :
make distance/difference smaller
[intransitive and transitive]11 to make taking part in an activity or using an opportunity no longer possible [↪ closed]: Bidding for the painting will close on Friday. The legislation aims to close a lot of legal loopholes.
make something unavailable
[transitive]Bidding for the painting will close on Friday.The legislation aims to close a lot of legal loopholes.12 if a subject is closed, you are no longer willing to discuss it : It was a regrettable incident but I now consider the matter closed.
be closed
It was a regrettable incident but I now consider the matter closed.13 to stop operating permanently : In 1977 the Skyfame Aircraft Museum closed its doors to the public for the last time.
close your doors (to somebody)
In 1977 the Skyfame Aircraft Museum closed its doors to the public for the last time.14 to refuse to think about something : She wanted to close her mind to the outside world.
close your mind to/against something
She wanted to close her mind to the outside world.15 if someone's hands, arms etc close around something, or are closed around something, they hold it firmly
hold something
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] close (something) around/round/over etc something Her left hand closed over his arm. She closed her hand tightly around her bag.
Her left hand closed over his arm.She closed her hand tightly around her bag.16 if a wound closes, or if someone closes it, the edges grow together again or are sewn together : The surgeon closed the incision neatly.
wound
also close up [intransitive and transitive]The surgeon closed the incision neatly.17
close ranks
a) if people close ranks, they join together to protect each other, especially because their group, organization etc is being criticized
b) if soldiers close ranks, they stand closer together
18 to stop working on something, especially a police operation, because it is not making any progress : Detectives had closed the book on the Hornsey Murders case three years previously.
close the book on something
Detectives had closed the book on the Hornsey Murders case three years previously. ➔ closing date, closing time
; ➔ close/shut the door on something
at door (9); ➔ close your eyes to something
at eye1 (16)close down
phrasal verb1 if a company, shop etc closes down or is closed down, it stops operating permanently : Paramount closed down its London office in 1968.
close something ↔ down
Paramount closed down its London office in 1968.2 British EnglishAMT to stop broadcasting radio or television programmes at the end of the day : BBC 2 closes down at 12:45 tonight.
BBC 2 closes down at 12:45 tonight.close in
phrasal verb1 to move closer to someone or something, especially in order to attack them : The snake closed in for the kill.
The snake closed in for the kill.2 if the night, bad weather etc closes in, it becomes darker or gets worse : The sun had set and dusk was closing in.
The sun had set and dusk was closing in.3 if the days close in, they become shorter because it is autumn
close something ↔ off
phrasal verbThe roads into the docks were closed off by iron gates.close on somebody/something
phrasal verb1 to get nearer to someone or something that is moving in front or ahead of you : The patrol car was rapidly closing on us.
The patrol car was rapidly closing on us.2 American English to successfully arrange a loan, especially in order to buy a house
close something ↔ out
phrasal verb1 to finish in a particular way : The bond market closed out the week on a strong note.
The bond market closed out the week on a strong note.2 if a store closes out a type of goods, they sell all of them cheaply : We're closing out this line of swimwear.
We're closing out this line of swimwear.close up
phrasal verb1 if a shop or building closes up or is closed up, it stops being open to the public for a period of time : The resorts are all closed up for the season.
close something ↔ up
The resorts are all closed up for the season.2 to stop doing something for a period of time or permanently : When it rains, there is no alternative but to close up shop.
close up shop
When it rains, there is no alternative but to close up shop.3 if a group of people close up, they move closer together
4 if a wound closes up or if someone closes it up, the edges grow together again or are sewn together : The scar is closing up nicely - it'll soon be time to take the stitches out.
close something ↔ up
The scar is closing up nicely - it'll soon be time to take the stitches out.5 to become narrower or to shut : The flowers close up at night. Occasionally the channel widened then closed up tight again.
The flowers close up at night.Occasionally the channel widened then closed up tight again.6 to refuse to talk to someone about something : The moment I said I was a police officer, everyone would close up like a clam.
The moment I said I was a police officer, everyone would close up like a clam.close with somebody/something
phrasal verb1 to agree a business deal with someone : It was such a good offer that I closed with him on the spot.
It was such a good offer that I closed with him on the spot.2 literary to move towards someone in order to fight with them
WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
close, shut, lock, turn/switch off In many contexts, the verbs close and shut can be used in exactly the same way • Please close OR shut the gate. • The windows were all closed OR shut. • She closed OR shut her eyes. • The store closes OR shuts at 7.!! Use close for a road, border, or airport • All the crossing points on the border have been closed (NOT shut).!! Before a noun, use closed • a closed door (NOT shut door)!! You cannot say 'close someone somewhere'. Use shut or lock to say that someone is put in a room or building and cannot get out • They shut her (NOT closed her) in her bedroom. • He was locked (NOT closed) in a cell. Use switch off or turn off with electrical things • Will you turn off (NOT close) the TV? • I switched off (NOT closed) all the lights.
WORD CHOICE: close, shut, lock, turn/switch off In many contexts, the verbs close and shut can be used in exactly the same way • Please close OR shut the gate. • The windows were all closed OR shut. • She closed OR shut her eyes. • The store closes OR shuts at 7.!! Use close for a road, border, or airport • All the crossing points on the border have been closed (NOT shut).!! Before a noun, use closed • a closed door (NOT shut door)!! You cannot say 'close someone somewhere'. Use shut or lock to say that someone is put in a room or building and cannot get out • They shut her (NOT closed her) in her bedroom. • He was locked (NOT closed) in a cell. Use switch off or turn off with electrical things • Will you turn off (NOT close) the TV? • I switched off (NOT closed) all the lights.
