close

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "close" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an adjective, a verb, an adverb, or a noun. For example: The door was closed tightly. He closed the window before leaving the room. He walked close to the edge of the cliff. She was very close to him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To try to close down that debate prematurely is both arrogant and plain wrong".

The Guardian

Asked if she expected Ukip to run have Labour so close, she said: "To be honest with you I have been through more or less every scenario.

The Guardian

Close observers of his military say Syria is having trouble keeping its sophisticated and maintenance-intensive weapons functioning.

The New York Times

Nominations close on Wednesday.

The Guardian

Updated at 10.14am BST Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close.

The Guardian

Updated at 10.17am ET Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close.

The Guardian - Business

After 9/11 Uzbekistan became a close strategic partner of the US, providing military facilities and transit routes to support US and Nato operations in Afghanistan.

The Guardian

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 11.52am BST11 52 WICKET!

The Guardian - Sport

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 9.18am BSummary Summary Welcome to Middle East Live.

The Guardian

This was the second time in seven months that Hill has come close to the death chamber: last July he was spared by just 90 minutes and the experience was repeated on Tuesday night with just 30 minutes to go.

The Guardian

"IT WAS close".

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close" as an adjective, be specific about the type of closeness you are referring to (e.g., "close" friend, "close" proximity, "close" examination) to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "close" without considering the context. Ensure the reader understands whether you mean physically near, intimately connected, or coming to an end.

Linguistic Context

The word "close" serves multiple grammatical functions, acting as an adjective to describe proximity or intimacy, a verb to denote shutting or concluding, an adverb indicating nearness, or a noun representing an end or enclosure. Ludwig AI highlights these versatile uses in its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close" is a versatile word with various grammatical functions, including adjective, verb, adverb, and noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, its meaning is highly context-dependent, ranging from physical proximity to emotional intimacy to the end of something. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, with frequent use in news, business, and general discussions. Related phrases include "nearby", "intimate", and "shut", providing alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearby

Indicates physical proximity or nearness, similar to "close" in a spatial context.

intimate

Suggests a personal and affectionate relationship, akin to "close" in describing relationships.

shut

Refers to the action of closing or obstructing something, similar to "close" as a verb.

end

Implies the termination or conclusion of something, akin to "close" when referring to endings.

terminate

Formally concludes something, aligning with "close" in a business or formal context.

adjacent

Indicates that something is located next to something else, relating to the spatial sense of "close".

confidential

Suggests secrecy or privacy, akin to "close" when referring to information.

stingy

Describes someone who is unwilling to spend money, like "close" as a synonym for parsimonious.

accurate

Indicates precision or correctness, similar to "close" when referring to adherence to a standard.

tight

Can imply a physical nearness or a strong bond, sharing similarities with "close".

FAQs

How can "close" be used as a verb in a sentence?

As a verb, "close" means to shut or obstruct something. For example, "Please "close the door"" or "The deal is expected to "close by the end of the week"".

What are some adjectives similar in meaning to "close"?

Depending on the context, adjectives similar to "close" include "near", "intimate", "nearby", and "confidential".

What's the difference between "close" and "closed"?

"Close" can function as an adjective, verb, or adverb, while "closed" is the past participle and past tense form of the verb "close". For instance, "The shop is "close" by" (adjective) versus "The shop is "closed"" (past participle).

How does the meaning of "close" change in different contexts?

The meaning of "close" varies depending on the context. It can refer to physical proximity (e.g., "the house is "close to the station""), emotional connection (e.g., "they are "close friends""), or the end of something (e.g., "the meeting is about to "close"").