close
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++close1 /kləʊz $ kloʊz/ ●●● S1 W1 verb 1 shut 关 [intransitive, transitive]SHUT/CLOSE to shut something in order to cover an opening, or to become shut in this way 关，闭合 SYN shut OPP open → closed Would you mind if I closed the window? 我把窗户关上你不介意吧？ She closed the curtains. 她拉上了窗帘。 Let me do the car door – it won’t close properly. 我来修一下车门，它关不紧。 Beth closed her eyes and tried to sleep. 贝丝合上眼睛想睡觉。 She heard the door close behind her. 她听见门在她身后关上了。2 move parts together 把各部分合起来 [intransitive, transitive] to move the parts of something together so that there is no longer a space between them 合上，合拢 Anne closed her book and stood up. 安妮合上书站了起来。3 shut for period of time 关闭一段时间 [intransitive, transitive] (also close up)SHUT/CLOSE if a shop or building closes, or you close it, it stops being open to the public for a period of time 〔暂时性〕关闭，歇业 OPP open SYN British English shut → closed The shops close at six. 商店6点关门。 Harry usually closes the store completely when he goes on vacation. 哈里去度假时通常干脆把店关了。4 NO LONGER EXISTstop operating 停止运作 [intransitive, transitive] (also close down)SHUT/CLOSE if a company, shop etc closes, or you close it, it stops operating permanently 〔永久性地〕关闭，倒闭，停业 SYN shut down, → closed We have reluctantly decided to close the factory. 我们无奈地决定关闭工厂。 The shop closed down some time last year. 这家商店是去年的某个时候停业的。5 end 结束 [intransitive, transitive]FINISH/COME TO AN END to end or to make something end, especially in a particular way 〔尤指以某种方式〕结束，终止close something with/by etc I will now close the meeting by asking you to join me in a final toast. 现在我要请大家最后干一杯来结束这次会议。close with The movie closes with an emotional reunion in Prague. 影片以在布拉格的激情重逢收尾。closing remarks (=something you say at the end of a speech) 结束语 In her closing remarks, the judge urged the jury to consider the facts only. 法官在结语中提请陪审团只需考虑事实。6 close an account BFBto stop having and using a bank account or other financial account 注销账户 My husband closed all my credit card accounts without even asking me. 我丈夫没问我就注销了我所有的信用卡账户。7 FINANCIAL/ECONOMICin money markets 货币市场上 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]BFS 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 以…价格收盘close at The dollar closed at 64p against the pound. 美元兑英镑收盘报64便士。close up/down Their shares closed 27p up (=worth 27p more). 他们的股票收盘时上涨27便士。8. close a deal/sale/contract etc ARRANGE A MEETING, EVENT ETCto successfully agree a business deal, sale etc 做成生意/买卖/达成合约等9 offer finishes 优惠截止 [intransitive]FINISH/COME TO AN END to finish on a particular date 结束，截止 SYN end Our special offer closes on June 3. 我们的优惠于6月3日截止。10 make distance/difference smaller 缩短距离/缩小差异 [intransitive, transitive]NEAR to make the distance or difference between two things smaller 拉近，减少（分歧） an attempt to close the gap between the rich and poor 缩小贫富差距的努力close on The other car was closing on us fast. 另一辆车在迅速赶上我们。11 make STH unavailable 使某物不能用 [intransitive, transitive]REDUCE to make taking part in an activity or using an opportunity no longer possible 堵住；封闭；关闭 → closed12 be closed DISCUSSif a subject is closed, you are no longer willing to discuss it 不再谈论13 close your doors (to somebody) to stop operating permanently （对某人）〔永久性地〕关闭，停业14 close your mind to/against something to refuse to think about something 拒绝考虑某事15 hold STH 抓握某物 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive]HOLD if someone’s hands, arms etc close around something, or are closed around something, they hold it firmly 抓握；抱紧16 wound 伤口 [intransitive, transitive] (also close up)CUREHEALTHY if a wound closes, or if someone closes it, the edges grow together again or are sewn together （使）合拢，（使）愈合17 close ranks 18 close the book on something STOP DOING somethingto stop working on something, especially a police operation, because it is not making any progress 〔尤指警方因没有进展而〕停止做某事 → closing date, closing time, → close/shut the door on something at door1(9), → close your eyes to something at eye1(16)n GrammarClose belongs to a group of verbs where the same noun can be the subject of the verb or its object. • You can say: She closed the door. In this sentence, ‘the door’ is the object of close.• You can say: The door closed. In this sentence, ‘the door’ is the subject of close. THESAURUSclose to stop being open, or to make something stop being open. You use close and shut especially about your eyes, your mouth, a door, a window, or a container 关闭，闭合〔close和shut尤用于指闭合眼睛或嘴巴，或指关闭门窗或容器〕Can I close the window? 我关上窗户好吗？Her eyes slowly closed. 她慢慢闭上了眼睛。He closed the door gently, so as not to wake the children. 他轻轻地关上门，免得吵醒孩子们。shut to close something. Shut sometimes has a feeling of doing something quickly and firmly, whereas close sounds more careful 关闭，闭合〔shut有时含有又快又干脆的意味，而close则听上去有更加小心的意味〕He shut the door with a loud bang. 他砰的一声把门关上。Shut your eyes and go to sleep. 闭上眼睛睡觉吧。slam to close a door or lid quickly and noisily, especially because you are angry 〔尤因生气〕砰地关上〔门或盖子〕She left the room, slamming the door behind her. 她离开房间，砰的一声关上了门。draw the curtains to close curtains by pulling them across a window 关上[拉上]窗帘The curtains were still drawn at ten o'clock in the morning. 早上10点，窗帘依然没拉开。put the lid on something to close a container by putting a lid onto it 给某物盖上盖子Did you put the lid on the cookie jar? 你给饼干罐盖上盖子了吗？seal to close something so that no air or water can get in or out 密封In this experiment, the chamber must be completely sealed. 做这个实验的时候,房间必须完全密封。 PHRASAL VERBS→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
close• The first shock was that the mill closed.• The legislation closes a lot of loopholes in the tax law.• Close all applications before shutting down your computer.• The pension fund was broke, the mines were closed, and it looked like the moon.• Most of the stores close at 6:30.• It's closing down ... declared a fire safety risk ... only a few years after it was reopened.• After 85 years, the local newspaper closed down last month.• Ann closed her book and stood up.• When he finishes his supper, the boy tucks the lunch box back into a shopping bag and closes his eyes.• The hotel is closed in the winter.• Anheuser-Busch even threatened to close its St Louis plant if the tax measure passed, though nobody believed that.• The special offer for tickets closes June 3.• The play opens Monday and is scheduled to close March 20.• WalMart shares closed only 4 cents down.• The door closed silently behind Mariko.• Hundreds of timber mills have been closed since World War II.• Close the curtains - it's getting dark.• She took the necklace out of the box and closed the lid.• Do you mind if I close the window?• What time does the mall close tonight?• The cut should close up within a few days.• The novel closes when the family reunites in Prague.• Okay, close your eyes and make a wish.closed ... eyes• He put his hands behind his head and closed his eyes.• Hitched horses in front of the saloons shivered and closed their eyes.• I got into bed and closed my eyes.• She hit the other one, and then sat stock-still; tears ran from her closed eyes.• He closed his eyes and groaned.• He pulled his awkward cloak about his shoulders and closed his eyes, emptying his head of preoccupations.• If she closed her eyes she could see again those glittering lights and hear the gay, entrancing music.• I closed my eyes, trying to make the chaos outside a dream.closing remarks• Mr. Brooke I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his remarks, and not least his closing remarks.• Mr. Brooke I am most grateful to my right hon. Friend for his kind closing remarks.• In his closing remarks , Merrill said that the plan "reflects the hard work of many people."close up/down• The stock rebounded somewhat today, closing up 1 / 4 at 54 12.• Adventure giants Atlas, alas, have closed down.• It was very kind of you to look at me when you were ready to close up.• The stock prices of both airlines closed down Monday.• Imprinting and cell differentiation both involve the closing down of genes but the mechanisms are evidently distinct.• The service will close down on 5 September and will be replaced by a metered service.• Cinder blocks have closed up the door and windows.• Or maybe they had closed down the Project and abandoned him.close the gap• He never had a chance, and he never closed the gap.• Over the final 40 metres Louise closed the gap and was just first to the touch in 1.14.55.• Like Schüssler Fiorenza, Phyllis Trible seeks to close the gap between past and present.• Gretna, meanwhile, are hoping to close the gap on leaders Murton by beating Ferryhill at Raydale Park.• But it has closed the gap slightly.• Moors are closing the gap steadily on the leading teams, and three points today could lift them three places into fifth.• Boughton Hall closed the gap with an eight wicket triumph at Huyton.• Finally the research vessel began to sidle sideways towards us, using its bow thrusters to close the gap with Hsu Fu.closed ... borders• Neighbouring countries have closed their borders.close2 /kləʊs $ kloʊs/ ●●● S1 W1 adjective (comparative closer, superlative closest) 1 near 靠近的NEAR not far from someone or something 接近的，靠近的 SYN near2 near in time 时间上靠近的SOON near to something in time 〔时间上〕接近的3 likely to happen 可能发生的PROBABLY seeming very likely to happen or very likely to do something soon 可能的，接近的4 LIKE somebody OR somethinglike/love 喜欢/喜爱 if two people are close, they like or love each other very much 亲近的，亲密的5 similar 类似的LIKE/SIMILAR very similar to each other 接近的，类似的6 CAREFULcareful 小心的 [usually before noun] looking at, thinking about, or watching something very carefully 仔细的，小心的 → closely7 number/amount 数/量LIKE/SIMILAR if a number or amount is close to another number or amount, it is not much higher or lower than it 〔数量上〕接近的8 competition/election etc 比赛/选举等ALMOST finishing or being played, fought etc with both sides almost equal 几乎平手的，势均力敌的，难分高下的9 close relation/relative FAMILYa member of your family such as your brother, sister, parent etc 近亲，家人 OPP distant10 very nearly bad 险些坏事ALMOST used when you have only just managed to avoid something bad, dangerous, or embarrassing happening 危险的，差一点的11 almost 几乎 very nearly getting, finding, or achieving something 几乎要…的，差不多要…的 12 keep in close contact/touch FRIENDLYif two people keep in close contact, they see, talk to, or write to each other often 保持密切联系13 work/talk together 一起工作/交谈FRIENDLY relating to a situation in which people work well with each other or talk to each other often 密切的，紧密的14 with little space 空间很小的KEEP somebody IN A PLACE with little or no space around something or between things 密集的，空间很小的15 close/you’re close/that’s close spokenALMOST used to tell someone that they have almost guessed or answered something correctly 很接近，几乎猜对了16. close to the bone if something someone says is close to the bone, it makes you feel uncomfortable or offends you, especially because it is about something you do not want to admit is true 〔某人说的话〕触到痛处的，令人不快的17 close, but no cigarbut no cigar close ALMOST spoken used when something someone does or says is almost correct or successful 只差一点就对了；只差一点就成功了18 too close for comfort NERVOUSif something that happens is too close for comfort, it is near enough to make you feel nervous or afraid 近得让人不安的19 close to home 20 at close quarters if something happens or is done at close quarters, it happens inside a small space or is done from a short distance away 〔所发生的事〕近在咫尺，近距离地21 weather 天气AIR British English uncomfortably warm because there seems to be no air 闷热的22 unwilling to talk about STH 不愿讨论某事的 [not before noun]SECRET unwilling to tell people about something 遮掩的，守口如瓶的 SYN secretive23 unwilling to spend money 不愿花钱的 [not before noun]GENEROUS not generous 吝啬的，小气的 24. a close shave DCBwhen the hair on someone’s face is cut very close to the skin 胡子刮得很干净25 close work CAREFULwork that involves looking at or handling things in a very skilful, detailed, and careful way 精细的工作，细活26. close vowel SL technical a close vowel is pronounced with only a small space between the tongue and the top of the mouth 闭元音 —closeness noun [uncountable] She had never had the physical or emotional closeness that she needed. 她需要身体或情感上的亲近，但她从来都没有得到过。 → play your cards close to your chest at card1(14)n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 6: looking at, thinking about, or watching something very carefullyphrasestake/get a close lookShe moved forward to take a close look at the painting.keep a close eye/watch on somebody/something (=watch someone or something carefully)They have to keep a close eye on their finances.nounsa close examinationA closer examination of the facts soon solved the mystery.a close studyTheir research involved a close study of two communities.close attentionYou will lose weight if you combine exercise with close attention to your diet.close scrutiny (=careful and thorough examination of someone or something)The investigation included close scrutiny of the images on CCTV.close inspection (=looking at someone or something in detail)Closer inspection revealed that the rocks were from an earlier period.close supervision (=constantly making sure that someone does things in the correct way)Initially there will be close supervision of the trainee. Examples from the Corpus
close• Dad and I have always been very close.• The grocery store on Victory Boulevard is closer.• We haven't finished remodeling the kitchen yet, but we're close.• My sister and I used to argue a lot, but now we're very close.• Our job requires close contact with the sales manager.• What we need now is closer cooperation between the sales and marketing staffs.• On closer examination of the facts it became clear that the boy was innocent.• We have always been a close family.• It turns out that Julie is a close friend of my cousin Kelly.• Is there some one he would listen to, such as a close friend or relative?• Rosen has worked politically for Kennedy since his 1980 presidential primary run and developed a close friendship with the senator.• It is important that the close link with the local authority remains.• Take a close look at this photograph.• Mom and I are a lot closer now than we were when I was a teenager.• The school encourages close partnerships between teachers and parents.• Bormann followed the simple principle of always remaining in the closest proximity to the source of all grace and favor.• Snowden's close reasoning and unerring instinct for words were allied with Maxton's humour and Churchill's daring.• Federal Trade Commission officials would not comment on the deal, but are expected by industry experts to give it close scrutiny.• But the Gulf of California is closer than you think, and currently under assault by everything from pollution to poaching.• She was never very close to her stepmother.• I'm still very close to my parents.• Are they in good condition, especially those close to the house?• Our birthdays are close together.close to• The government spends close to $100 billion a year on education.• Inflation is now close to 6%.• We drove close on 500 miles Saturday.• It was close on midnight by the time they got home.• This activity was close to a couple of shops which sold animal furs.• There must be close to a hundred people in the hall.• She also has remained close to another ex-Cardinal, Lasers center Anita Kaplan.• Barnes was close to death.• He was close to MacDonald and trusted him to respect the constitution.• By the time we left, it was close to midnight.• I'm very close to my brothers.• Therefore, the choice of method depends on which assumption is closest to reality.• Which of them is close to shops?• Do you have any shoes that are closer in color to the bridesmaid's dress?• He jogged rapidly keeping close to the hedgerows and avoiding the open fields.• Of these, Corinne came the closest to the Rooseveltian ideal.• Amy's house is close to the school.• Even Plato was closer to the truth than you and yours, Gilbert.close to• This activity was close to a couple of shops which sold animal furs.• She also has remained close to another ex-Cardinal, Lasers center Anita Kaplan.• He was close to MacDonald and trusted him to respect the constitution.• Therefore, the choice of method depends on which assumption is closest to reality.• Which of them is close to shops?• He jogged rapidly keeping close to the hedgerows and avoiding the open fields.• Of these, Corinne came the closest to the Rooseveltian ideal.• Even Plato was closer to the truth than you and yours, Gilbert. close to doing something• Even Plato was closer to the truth than you and yours, Gilbert.• He jogged rapidly keeping close to the hedgerows and avoiding the open fields.• He was close to MacDonald and trusted him to respect the constitution.• Of these, Corinne came the closest to the Rooseveltian ideal.• She also has remained close to another ex-Cardinal, Lasers center Anita Kaplan.• Therefore, the choice of method depends on which assumption is closest to reality.• This activity was close to a couple of shops which sold animal furs.• Which of them is close to shops?close to• This activity was close to a couple of shops which sold animal furs.• She also has remained close to another ex-Cardinal, Lasers center Anita Kaplan.• He was close to MacDonald and trusted him to respect the constitution.• Therefore, the choice of method depends on which assumption is closest to reality.• Which of them is close to shops?• He jogged rapidly keeping close to the hedgerows and avoiding the open fields.• Of these, Corinne came the closest to the Rooseveltian ideal.• Even Plato was closer to the truth than you and yours, Gilbert.close to• This activity was close to a couple of shops which sold animal furs.• She also has remained close to another ex-Cardinal, Lasers center Anita Kaplan.• He was close to MacDonald and trusted him to respect the constitution.• Therefore, the choice of method depends on which assumption is closest to reality.• Which of them is close to shops?• He jogged rapidly keeping close to the hedgerows and avoiding the open fields.• Of these, Corinne came the closest to the Rooseveltian ideal.• Even Plato was closer to the truth than you and yours, Gilbert. take/have/get a close look (at something)• Clare Moynihan takes a closer look.• I cautiously take a closer look.• I picked up the binoculars to take a closer look.• The killer whale was in motion, swimming slowly around the raft to take a closer look.• Three or four weeks later, you can take a close look.• They probably took a closer look as its shares fell to just over $ 1 last month.• Take a closer look at the warning labels surrounding you on a daily basis.• When he took a closer look he was horrified.close to• This activity was close to a couple of shops which sold animal furs.• She also has remained close to another ex-Cardinal, Lasers center Anita Kaplan.• He was close to MacDonald and trusted him to respect the constitution.• Therefore, the choice of method depends on which assumption is closest to reality.• Which of them is close to shops?• He jogged rapidly keeping close to the hedgerows and avoiding the open fields.• Of these, Corinne came the closest to the Rooseveltian ideal.• Even Plato was closer to the truth than you and yours, Gilbert.a close second/third etc• An irresistible attraction to destructive men ran a close second.• Etzioni and Ward a close second and Nisbet and Fontana less promising in these selected books by them.• Business is a close second in its neglect of children, leaving workers without sufficient family time.• Sea bream, with shallot and red wine sauce, comes a close second in the restaurant.• Uncle Nick came a close second, Robin and Jenny joint thirds; thinking of them all, Ruth ached with homesickness.• Neil Young, whose eccentric recording diversions have made him a marketing nightmare, is a close second, though.• Acid House comes a close second to football fans in the tabloids' top ten of moral panics.• Put to the test, we suspect the anti-bat vote would be a close second to the anti-rat faction. that was close• Hoffman threw a 1-0 pitch that was close, but West ruled it a ball.• The three space directions and imaginary time would form a space-time that was closed in on itself, without boundaries or edges.• The guard began to search the pile of leaves where we were hiding, but then got distracted by a noise from the house. "Phew, that was close!" said John. "C'mon, let's get out of here!"• In addition, I called an agency that was close to landing me a job and informed it that I was employed.• She looked from Wycliffe to Lucy Lane and back again with apprehension that was close to panic.close to• This activity was close to a couple of shops which sold animal furs.• She also has remained close to another ex-Cardinal, Lasers center Anita Kaplan.• He was close to MacDonald and trusted him to respect the constitution.• Therefore, the choice of method depends on which assumption is closest to reality.• Which of them is close to shops?• He jogged rapidly keeping close to the hedgerows and avoiding the open fields.• Of these, Corinne came the closest to the Rooseveltian ideal.• Even Plato was closer to the truth than you and yours, Gilbert.close links• There were close links between the alchemists and the gnostics, and for the gnostics the picture was bleaker still.• Mercator's career exemplifies the close links which existed between mathematical theorists, teachers, and instrument-makers at this time.• He is exploring closer links with Diocesan and other denominational youth bodies which overlap in their aims.• The Centre aims to maintain a strong focus on those questions affecting the voluntary sector and to maintain close links with it.• This is formally independent of the Labour Party, but has close links with its leaders.• More recently, philosophy has had very close links with mathematics and artificial intelligence.• A new view of war, albeit one which had close links with past ideas, was gradually emerging. close3 /kləʊs $ kloʊs/ ●●● S2 W2 adverb 1 FINISH/COME TO AN ENDnot far away 不远，接近地 SYN near2 close up/up close/close to NEARfrom only a short distance away 在近处，很近地3 close on something/close to something spokenAPPROXIMATELY used to talk about a number, amount etc that is almost exact, but not completely 接近某一数目[数量等]4 come close (to doing something) ALMOST5 a close run thing British English a situation in which the people competing with each other are almost equal, so neither of them is more likely to win than the other 势均力敌，难分胜负6 close on the heels of something very soon after something else 紧随某事之后7 NEARnear to the surface of something 接近表面地，短到齐根地8 run somebody close British EnglishJUST/A MOMENT AGO to be almost as successful, skilful etc as someone else 和某人差不多一样成功[熟练等] → sail close to the wind at sail1(6)Examples from the Corpus
close• She was holding her baby close.• The police questioned him closely about his involvement in the robbery.• For that, you would sit behind the basket, seeing half the game up close.• Close by a couple were kissing, holding each other close to ward off the cold wind that had sprung up.• There were close to a hundred.• Living close to overhead electric power lines causes health hazards.• Anyone who works close to the darker side of human nature can not help taking on board some of the pain.close by• Her parents live close by.close4 /kləʊz $ kloʊz/ ●○○ noun 1 [singular] formalEND the end of an activity or of a period of time 〔活动或一段时间的〕结束，末尾 At the close of trade, the Dow Jones index was 1.92 points down. 收盘时，道琼斯指数下跌了1.92点。 The monsoon season was drawing to a close (=ending). 雨季即将结束。 The event came to a close (=finished) with a disco. 这次活动以迪斯科舞会结束。 Finally the meeting was brought to a close (=ended). 会议终于结束了。Examples from the Corpus
close• Exactly when the Gingrich case will come to a close has become a matter of bitter dispute.• John Champagne and Bob Guadiana grabbed their chance to lead the way as 1991 drew to a close.• Several hours later, the meeting drew to a close and the board members filed out of the room.• Fran lives at 37 Appian Close.• Since then, Service Corp. stock has zipped up from 44 to 47 at the close of trading last week.• At the close of trading on the stock market, Ciena shares were up to $37.• The beginning of April usually marks the close of the skiing season.• I remember the close of each of those weekend nights as a prolonged farewell.drawing to a close• With the announcement of Daimler, the 77-year existence of Fokker appears to be drawing to a close.• Adam began to move restlessly in his chair, assuming that the proceedings were now drawing to a close.• But because the moon is eclipsed, the stage drawing to a close is an ultra-important one.• Her own menstrual cycle, including its uncomfortable drawing to a close, had been strictly her own affair.• It was six o'clock and at Larksoken Power Station, the weekly interdepartmental meeting was drawing to a close.• But a change was in the air, a season was drawing to a close.• My time with Stark was drawing to a close.• The government had published the employment White Paper, and the war was drawing to a close.close5 /kləʊs $ kloʊs/ noun British English 1 [singular]TTR used in street names for a road that has only one way in or out 死巷，死胡同〔用于街道名称〕2. [countable usually singular] the area and buildings surrounding a cathedral 〔大教堂的〕周围地区Examples from the Corpus
close• Lying in a cradle close by are two babies.• I remember the close of each of those weekend nights as a prolonged farewell.From Longman Business Dictionarycloseclose1 /kləʊzkloʊz/ verb1[intransitive, transitive]COMMERCE (also close down) if a company, shop etc closes or someone closes it, it stops operating permanentlyWe have reluctantly decided to close the factory.Banks are closing down branches by the hundred.2[intransitive, transitive]COMMERCE if a shop or building closes or someone closes it, it stops being open to the public for a period of timeThe shops close at 6.3[intransitive]FINANCE if a share or currency closes at a particular value, it is worth that amount at the end of the day’s trading on a particular marketAmazon shares closed down at $29.56 on the NASDAQ.The pound closed up slightly at $1.90130.4[intransitive]MARKETING to finish on a particular dateSpecial offer closes June 3.5COMMERCE close a deal/sale to reach the point in a deal or sale where everyone involved agrees to itThe objective of the negotiation phase is to close the deal.He had to lower his price in order to close the sale. 6BANKING close an account to stop having a particular account with a bankMr Samuels agreed to close the account and transfer the money to a company account.7ACCOUNTING close the books to calculate the financial results at the end of a particular accounting periodOn Friday the company closed the books on its fiscal first quarter.8FINANCE close (out) a position if an investor or dealer on a financial market closes a position, they buy or sell the stocks, shares, currencies etc that they have agreed to buy or sell, even if this means that they lose moneyIf a dealer buys a futures contract and its price declines, he buys another at a lower price rather than closing out his position. → close something → out→ See Verb tablecloseclose2 noun [singular]FINANCE the end of the day’s activity, for example on the stockmarket or in a bankAt the close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had climbed 17.49.The dividend was payable to shareholders on the Register of Members at close of business on 7th May.Origin close1 (1200-1300) Old French clos, past participle of clore “to close”, from Latin claudere close2 (1200-1300) Old French clos, from Latin clausus, past participle of claudere; → CLOSE1close1 verb →10-18
→n GRAMMAR1 →THESAURUS1 →PHRASAL VERBS1close2 adjective →10-19 →20-26
→n COLLOCATIONS1close3 adverbclose4 nounclose5 nounLDOCE OnlineChinese
→n GRAMMAR1 →THESAURUS1 →PHRASAL VERBS1close2 adjective →10-19 →20-26
→n COLLOCATIONS1close3 adverbclose4 nounclose5 nounLDOCE OnlineChinese
to order something Corpus Business to in shut
Close
Close, Glenn /kləʊs/
(1947–) a US film and theatre actress whose many films include Fatal Attraction (1987) and 101 Dalmations (1996)
Close, Glenn /kləʊs/
(1947–) a US film and theatre actress whose many films include Fatal Attraction (1987) and 101 Dalmations (1996)
close
close1 S1 W1 /kləʊz $ kloʊz/ verb
SYN shut
OPP 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.
Beth closed her eyes and tried to sleep.
She heard the door close behind her.
2. MOVE PARTS TOGETHER [intransitive and transitive] to move the parts of something together so that there is no longer a space between them:
Anne closed her book and stood up.
3. SHUT FOR PERIOD OF TIME [intransitive and transitive] (also close up) if a shop or building closes, or you close it, it stops being open to the public for a period of time
OPP open
SYN shut British English ⇨ closed:
The shops close at six.
Harry usually closes the store completely when he goes on vacation.
4. STOP OPERATING [intransitive and transitive] (also close down) if a company, shop etc closes, or you close it, it stops operating permanently
SYN shut down ⇨ closed:
We have reluctantly decided to close the factory.
The shop closed down some time last year.
5. END [intransitive and transitive] to end or to make something end, especially in a particular way
close something with/by etc
I will now close the meeting by asking you to join me in a final toast.
close with
The movie closes with an emotional reunion in Prague.
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.
6. close an account to stop having and using a bank account or other financial account:
My husband closed all my credit card accounts without even asking me.
7. IN MONEY MARKETS [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] 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
close at
The dollar closed at 64p against the pound. close up/down
Their shares closed 27p up (=worth 27p more).
8. close a deal/sale/contract etc to successfully agree a business deal, sale etc
9. OFFER FINISHES [intransitive] to finish on a particular date
SYN end:
Our special offer closes on June 3.
10. MAKE DISTANCE/DIFFERENCE SMALLER [intransitive and transitive] to make the distance or difference between two things smaller:
an attempt to close the gap between the rich and poor
close on
The other car was closing on us fast.
11. MAKE SOMETHING UNAVAILABLE [intransitive and transitive] to make taking part in an activity or using an opportunity no longer possible ⇨ closed:
Bidding for the painting will close on Friday.
The country has now closed its borders to all foreign nationals (=will not let foreigners in).
The legislation aims to close a lot of legal loopholes.
12. be closed 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.
13. close your doors (to somebody) to stop operating permanently:
In 1977 the Skyfame Aircraft Museum closed its doors to the public for the last time.
14. close your mind to/against something to refuse to think about something:
She wanted to close her mind to the outside world.
15. HOLD SOMETHING [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] if someone’s hands, arms etc close around something, or are closed around something, they hold it firmly
close (something) around/round/over etc something
Her left hand closed over his arm.
She closed her hand tightly around her bag.
16. WOUND [intransitive and transitive] (also close up) if a wound closes, or if someone closes it, the edges grow together again or are sewn together:
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. close the book on something 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.
⇨ closing date, closing time, ⇨ close/shut the door on something at door(9), ⇨ close your eyes to something at eye1(16)
▪ close to stop being open, or to make something stop being open. You use close and shut especially about your eyes, your mouth, a door, a window, or a container: Can I close the window? | Her eyes slowly closed. | He closed the door gently, so as not to wake the children.
▪shut to close something . Shut sometimes has a feeling of doing something quickly and firmly, whereas close sounds more careful: He shut the door with a loud bang. | Shut your eyes and go to sleep.
▪slam to close a door or lid quickly and noisily, especially because you are angry: She left the room, slamming the door behind her.
▪draw the curtains to close curtains by pulling them across a window: The curtains were still drawn at ten o'clock in the morning.
▪put the lid on something to close a container by putting a lid onto it: Did you put the lid on the cookie jar?
▪seal to close something so that no air or water can get in or out: In this experiment, the chamber must be completely sealed.
close down phrasal verb
1. close something ↔ down if a company, shop etc closes down or is closed down, it stops operating permanently:
Paramount closed down its London office in 1968.
2. British English to stop broadcasting radio or television programmes at the end of the day:
BBC 2 closes down at 12:45 tonight.
close in phrasal verb
1. to move closer to someone or something, especially in order to attack them:
The snake closed in for the kill.
close in on/around/upon etc
enemy soldiers closing in on them from all sides
2. if the night, bad weather etc closes in, it becomes darker or gets worse:
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 verb
to separate a road, room etc from the area around it so that people cannot go there or use it:
The roads into the docks were closed off by iron gates.
close on somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to get nearer to someone or something that is moving in front or ahead of you:
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 verb American English
1. to finish in a particular way:
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.
close up phrasal verb
1. close something ↔ up 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.
2. close up shop to stop doing something for a period of time or permanently:
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. close something ↔ up 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.
5. to become narrower or to shut:
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.
close with somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to agree a business deal with someone:
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
close2 S1 W1 /kləʊs $ kloʊs/ adjective (comparative closer, superlative closest)
SYN near:
If you need to buy bread or milk, the closest shop is about a mile away.
close to
Susan sat on a chair close to the window.
I don’t mind where we go on vacation as long as it’s close to a beach.
His eyes were small and close together.
There are several accounts of dolphins living in close proximity to humans (=close to humans).
The victim had been shot at close range (=from very close).
2. NEAR IN TIME near to something in time
close to
It was close to 1:15 a.m.
close together
Our birthdays are quite close together.
3. LIKELY TO HAPPEN seeming very likely to happen or very likely to do something soon
close to doing something
The two countries are close to signing a peace agreement.
We’re close to clinching the deal.
close to death/tears/despair etc
The old dog could barely whimper and seemed close to death.
The prosecution’s main witness was close to tears as she described the assault.
4. LIKE/LOVE if two people are close, they like or love each other very much:
My brother and I are very close.
close to
I felt closer to Rob that evening than ever before.
Fiona and I have always been close friends.
5. SIMILAR very similar to each other
close to
When I saw Henry with another woman I felt something close to jealousy.
Fitt was the closest thing to a socialist in the party.
Their newest model bears a close resemblance to (=is very similar to) that of their rival competitor.
6. CAREFUL [usually before noun] looking at, thinking about, or watching something very carefully ⇨ closely
take/have/get a close look (at something)
She lifted up Jenny’s silver medallion to take a closer look.
keep a close watch/eye on (=watch someone or something very carefully)
Don’t worry, I’ll keep a close eye on the kids.
You could have improved your answers by closer attention to detail.
7. NUMBER/AMOUNT if a number or amount is close to another number or amount, it is not much higher or lower than it:
We don’t know the exact figures, but about 10,000 might be a close approximation (=close to the actual figure).
close to
Inflation is close to 7 percent.
8. COMPETITION/ELECTION ETC finishing or being played, fought etc with both sides almost equal:
It was a close game that could have gone either way.
a close second/third etc (=very nearly first, second etc)
The result is too close to call (=so close that it is impossible to know who will win).
9. close relation/relative a member of your family such as your brother, sister, parent etc
OPP distant:
The wedding was attended by close family only.
10. VERY NEARLY BAD used when you have only just managed to avoid something bad, dangerous, or embarrassing happening:
‘Phew, that was close,’ Frank said as he swerved to avoid the cyclist.
a close call/thing/shave (=a situation in which something dangerous, embarrassing etc almost happens)
United had a close shave when Liverpool almost scored.
11. ALMOST very nearly getting, finding, or achieving something
close to
At this point, the investigators were closer to the truth than they realized.
12. keep in close contact/touch if two people keep in close contact, they see, talk to, or write to each other often:
Text messaging enables people to keep in close contact at all times.
13. WORK/TALK TOGETHER relating to a situation in which people work well with each other or talk to each other often:
He retained very close links with France throughout his life.
What we need now is closer cooperation between the club and supporters.
14. WITH LITTLE SPACE with little or no space around something or between things:
The horses are always eager for exercise after the close confinement of the stables.
The shoe is a close fit (=there is no space around the foot).
I find it difficult to read such close print (=with letters printed so close together).
15. close/you’re close/that’s close spoken used to tell someone that they have almost guessed or answered something correctly:
‘I reckon he must be about 38.’ ‘Close – he was 40 last week.’
16. close to the bone if something someone says is close to the bone, it makes you feel uncomfortable or offends you, especially because it is about something you do not want to admit is true
17. close, but no cigar spoken used when something someone does or says is almost correct or successful:
It was close, but no cigar for the Dodgers as they lost to the Reds 4–3.
18. too close for comfort if something that happens is too close for comfort, it is near enough to make you feel nervous or afraid:
From somewhere too close for comfort came the sound of machine-gun fire.
19. close to home
a. if a remark or criticism is close to home, it makes you feel uncomfortable because it is likely to be true:
His comments struck unpleasantly close to home.
b. if something unpleasant happens close to home, you are directly affected by it:
It’s one thing seeing riots on TV, but when they happen so close to home it’s a different matter.
20. at close quarters if something happens or is done at close quarters, it happens inside a small space or is done from a short distance away:
The troops had been fighting at close quarters.
21. WEATHER British English uncomfortably warm because there seems to be no air:
The weather that night was hot and close, with a hint of thunder in the distance.
22. UNWILLING TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING [not before noun] unwilling to tell people about something
SYN secretive
close about
You’re very close about your work, aren’t you?
23. UNWILLING TO SPEND MONEY [not before noun] not generous
close with
You won’t get a penny out of Jack – he’s very close with his money.
24. a close shave when the hair on someone’s face is cut very close to the skin
25. close work work that involves looking at or handling things in a very skilful, detailed, and careful way:
After years of close work, she could hardly see a thing if it was over a yard away.
26. close vowel technical a close vowel is pronounced with only a small space between the tongue and the top of the mouth
—closeness noun [uncountable]:
She had never had the physical or emotional closeness that she needed.
⇨ play your cards close to your chest at card1(14)
■ phrases
▪take/get a close look She moved forward to take a close look at the painting.
▪keep a close eye/watch on somebody/something (=watch someone or something carefully) They have to keep a close eye on their finances.
■ nouns
▪a close examination A closer examination of the facts soon solved the mystery.
▪a close study Their research involved a close study of two communities.
▪close attention You will lose weight if you combine exercise with close attention to your diet.
▪close scrutiny (=careful and thorough examination of someone or something) The investigation included close scrutiny of the images on CCTV.
▪close inspection (=looking at someone or something in detail) Closer inspection revealed that the rocks were from an earlier period.
▪close supervision (=constantly making sure that someone does things in the correct way) Initially there will be close supervision of the trainee.
▪ similar adjective almost the same: Jo said she’d had a similar experience. | The colours are very similar, but I like this one best.
▪like preposition similar to something or someone else: It tastes a little like chicken. | She still looks like a teenager.
▪alike adjective [not before noun] very similar - used especially about the way people look or behave: She and her sister look alike. | Lawyers are all alike - I don’t trust them.
▪close adjective very similar: The film bears a close resemblance to real life (=is very similar). | The painting is remarkably close to the original.
▪much the same very similar: The glass is still made in much the same way as it was 100 years ago. | People are much the same, wherever you go. | She still looks very much the same.
▪identical adjective exactly the same: The two computers were identical in design. | identical names
▪matching adjective having the same colour, style, pattern etc as something else - used about clothes or furniture that you wear or use together: She wore matching silver shoes and handbag. | a dining table and matching chairs
▪akin to something formal fairly similar to something: These dialects are akin to Arabic, though different in several respects.
close3 S2 W2 /kləʊs $ kloʊs/ adverb1. not far away
SYN near:
Come a little closer, so you can see better.
Her father lives quite close by.
They were sitting close together on the couch.
A variety of good restaurants are close at hand (=very near).
James heard footsteps close behind him.
Ronnie sped off, with his brother’s car following close behind.
stay/keep close
We must all stay close.
hold/draw somebody close (=hold someone against your body)
He drew her close to him.
2. close up/up close/close to from only a short distance away:
Now that I could see him close up, I saw that he was very attractive.
3. close on something/close to something spoken used to talk about a number, amount etc that is almost exact, but not completely:
a voyage of close on 2,000 miles
4. come close (to doing something)
a. to almost do something:
I tell you, I was so mad I came close to hitting her.
She came so close to the finals she must have been bitterly disappointed to go out now.
b. to be almost as good as someone or something else:
It’s not as good as his last movie, but it comes pretty close.
5. a close run thing British English a situation in which the people competing with each other are almost equal, so neither of them is more likely to win than the other:
The upcoming election looks likely to be a close run thing.
6. close on the heels of something very soon after something else
come/follow close on the heels of something
Yet another scandal followed close on the heels of the senator’s resignation.
7. near to the surface of something:
An electric razor doesn’t really shave as close as a blade.
8. run somebody close British English to be almost as successful, skilful etc as someone else:
Last season United ran them close both at home and away.
⇨ sail close to the wind at sail1(6)
▪ near only a short distance from something or someone: I live near Salzburg in Austria. | If we moved to Dallas, we’d be near my parents.
▪close very near something or someone, or almost touching them: The hotel is close to the beach. | Nancy came and sat close beside me on the bed.
▪not far (away) not a long distance away – used when saying that a place is near enough to be easy to get to: The station’s not far away from here.
▪nearby near here or near a particular place: Is there a post office nearby? | A group of reporters were waiting nearby.
▪within walking distance (of something) easy to walk to from somewhere, or near enough to something for you to walk there: There’s a good school within walking distance. | The house is within walking distance of shopping facilities.
▪be convenient for something British English, be convenient to something American English to be near a place that people want to get to, so that the place is easy to reach: The area is very convenient for Gatwick airport. | I want a hotel that’s convenient for the city centre.
▪locally in or near the area where you are or the area you are talking about: I prefer to buy fruit and vegetables that are grown locally.
▪around here (also round here British English) spoken in the general area near here: Parking is impossible around here. | Is there a garage round here?
▪in the neighbourhood British English, in the neighborhood American English living or existing in the area where you are or the area you are talking about: We grew up knowing all the other kids in the neighbourhood. | There’s very little crime in the neighborhood.
▪in the vicinity formal in the area around and near a particular place – used especially in news reports: A white van was seen in the vicinity at the time the murder took place.
▪neighbouring British English, neighboring American English used about towns, countries etc that are very near a particular place: discussions between Egypt and neighbouring states | The rioting quickly spread to neighbouring areas.
close4 /kləʊz $ kloʊz/ noun
[singular] formal the end of an activity or of a period of time:
At the close of trade, the Dow Jones index was 1.92 points down.
The monsoon season was drawing to a close (=ending).
The event came to a close (=finished) with a disco.
Finally the meeting was brought to a close (=ended).
■ Actions when using a computer
▪start up/boot up to make a computer start working: I’m having problems starting up my computer.
▪log on/in to start using a computer system by typing your name and password: He logged on and read his emails.
▪click on something to press a button on a computer mouse to choose a program, file etc from the screen: When you click on the link, it sends you to the company’s website.
▪install to add new software to a computer so that the software is ready to be used: All users should install anti-virus software.
▪download to move information, pictures, or music from the Internet onto your computer: You can download MP3 files.
▪upload to move information, pictures, or music from your computer to a different computer across the Internet: Sites such as YouTube allow you to upload your own videos.
▪open to make a file or program ready to use: Open a new file and type in the information.
▪scroll up/down to move information on a computer screen up or down so that you can read it: Scroll down to read the questions and answers.
▪enter to type information into a computer: The program requires you to enter a password.
▪delete to remove information from a computer: I’ve deleted his email. | When you delete a file, it first gets moved to the recycle bin.
▪cut and paste to remove information from one place and put it in another place: Tutors are looking out for students who cut and paste their essays from the Internet.
▪save to make a computer keep the work that you have done on it: Make sure you save any work you do before you shut the computer down.
▪close to stop having a file or program ready to use: To close the window, click on the ‘X’ in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
▪log off/out to stop using a computer system by giving it particular instructions: I get an error message when I log off.
▪shut down to make a computer stop working: Employees should shut their computers down at the end of each day.
▪restart/reboot to make a computer start working again: Wait a few minutes before rebooting your computer.
close5 /kləʊs $ kloʊs/ noun British English
1. [singular] used in street names for a road that has only one way in or out:
Take a left turn into Brown’s Close.
2. [countable usually singular] the area and buildings surrounding a cathedral
| I |
verb Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: clos, past participle of clore 'to close', from Latin claudere
1. SHUT [intransitive and transitive] to shut something in order to cover an opening, or to become shut in this way Language: Old French
Origin: clos, past participle of clore 'to close', from Latin claudere
SYN shut
OPP open ⇨ closed:
2. MOVE PARTS TOGETHER [intransitive and transitive] to move the parts of something together so that there is no longer a space between them:
3. SHUT FOR PERIOD OF TIME [intransitive and transitive] (also close up) if a shop or building closes, or you close it, it stops being open to the public for a period of time
OPP open
SYN shut British English ⇨ closed:
4. STOP OPERATING [intransitive and transitive] (also close down) if a company, shop etc closes, or you close it, it stops operating permanently
SYN shut down ⇨ closed:
5. END [intransitive and transitive] to end or to make something end, especially in a particular way
close something with/by etc
close with
closing remarks (=something you say at the end of a speech)
6. close an account to stop having and using a bank account or other financial account:
7. IN MONEY MARKETS [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] 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
close at
8. close a deal/sale/contract etc to successfully agree a business deal, sale etc
9. OFFER FINISHES [intransitive] to finish on a particular date
SYN end:
10. MAKE DISTANCE/DIFFERENCE SMALLER [intransitive and transitive] to make the distance or difference between two things smaller:
close on
11. MAKE SOMETHING UNAVAILABLE [intransitive and transitive] to make taking part in an activity or using an opportunity no longer possible ⇨ closed:
12. be closed if a subject is closed, you are no longer willing to discuss it:
13. close your doors (to somebody) to stop operating permanently:
14. close your mind to/against something to refuse to think about something:
15. HOLD SOMETHING [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] if someone’s hands, arms etc close around something, or are closed around something, they hold it firmly
close (something) around/round/over etc something
16. WOUND [intransitive and transitive] (also close up) if a wound closes, or if someone closes it, the edges grow together again or are sewn together:
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. close the book on something to stop working on something, especially a police operation, because it is not making any progress:
⇨ closing date, closing time, ⇨ close/shut the door on something at door(9), ⇨ close your eyes to something at eye1(16)
| THESAURUS |
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▪
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close down phrasal verb
1. close something ↔ down if a company, shop etc closes down or is closed down, it stops operating permanently:
2. British English to stop broadcasting radio or television programmes at the end of the day:
close in phrasal verb
1. to move closer to someone or something, especially in order to attack them:
close in on/around/upon etc
2. if the night, bad weather etc closes in, it becomes darker or gets worse:
3. if the days close in, they become shorter because it is autumn
close something ↔ off phrasal verb
to separate a road, room etc from the area around it so that people cannot go there or use it:
close on somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to get nearer to someone or something that is moving in front or ahead of you:
2. American English to successfully arrange a loan, especially in order to buy a house
close something ↔ out phrasal verb American English
1. to finish in a particular way:
2. if a store closes out a type of goods, they sell all of them cheaply:
close up phrasal verb
1. close something ↔ up if a shop or building closes up or is closed up, it stops being open to the public for a period of time:
2. close up shop to stop doing something for a period of time or permanently:
3. if a group of people close up, they move closer together
4. close something ↔ up if a wound closes up or if someone closes it up, the edges grow together again or are sewn together:
5. to become narrower or to shut:
6. to refuse to talk to someone about something:
close with somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to agree a business deal with someone:
2. literary to move towards someone in order to fight with them
| II |
adjective (comparative closer, superlative closest) Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: clos, from Latin clausus, past participle of claudere; ⇨ close1
1. NEAR not far from someone or something Language: Old French
Origin: clos, from Latin clausus, past participle of claudere; ⇨ close1
SYN near:
close to
2. NEAR IN TIME near to something in time
close to
close together
3. LIKELY TO HAPPEN seeming very likely to happen or very likely to do something soon
close to doing something
close to death/tears/despair etc
4. LIKE/LOVE if two people are close, they like or love each other very much:
close to
5. SIMILAR very similar to each other
close to
6. CAREFUL [usually before noun] looking at, thinking about, or watching something very carefully ⇨ closely
take/have/get a close look (at something)
keep a close watch/eye on (=watch someone or something very carefully)
7. NUMBER/AMOUNT if a number or amount is close to another number or amount, it is not much higher or lower than it:
close to
8. COMPETITION/ELECTION ETC finishing or being played, fought etc with both sides almost equal:
a close second/third etc (=very nearly first, second etc)
9. close relation/relative a member of your family such as your brother, sister, parent etc
OPP distant:
10. VERY NEARLY BAD used when you have only just managed to avoid something bad, dangerous, or embarrassing happening:
a close call/thing/shave (=a situation in which something dangerous, embarrassing etc almost happens)
11. ALMOST very nearly getting, finding, or achieving something
close to
12. keep in close contact/touch if two people keep in close contact, they see, talk to, or write to each other often:
13. WORK/TALK TOGETHER relating to a situation in which people work well with each other or talk to each other often:
14. WITH LITTLE SPACE with little or no space around something or between things:
15. close/you’re close/that’s close spoken used to tell someone that they have almost guessed or answered something correctly:
16. close to the bone if something someone says is close to the bone, it makes you feel uncomfortable or offends you, especially because it is about something you do not want to admit is true
17. close, but no cigar spoken used when something someone does or says is almost correct or successful:
18. too close for comfort if something that happens is too close for comfort, it is near enough to make you feel nervous or afraid:
19. close to home
a. if a remark or criticism is close to home, it makes you feel uncomfortable because it is likely to be true:
b. if something unpleasant happens close to home, you are directly affected by it:
20. at close quarters if something happens or is done at close quarters, it happens inside a small space or is done from a short distance away:
21. WEATHER British English uncomfortably warm because there seems to be no air:
22. UNWILLING TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING [not before noun] unwilling to tell people about something
SYN secretive
close about
23. UNWILLING TO SPEND MONEY [not before noun] not generous
close with
24. a close shave when the hair on someone’s face is cut very close to the skin
25. close work work that involves looking at or handling things in a very skilful, detailed, and careful way:
26. close vowel technical a close vowel is pronounced with only a small space between the tongue and the top of the mouth
—closeness noun [uncountable]:
⇨ play your cards close to your chest at card1(14)
| COLLOCATIONS |
| (for Meaning 6) |
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| THESAURUS |
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| III |
adverb1. not far away SYN near:
stay/keep close
hold/draw somebody close (=hold someone against your body)
2. close up/up close/close to from only a short distance away:
3. close on something/close to something spoken used to talk about a number, amount etc that is almost exact, but not completely:
4. come close (to doing something)
a. to almost do something:
b. to be almost as good as someone or something else:
5. a close run thing British English a situation in which the people competing with each other are almost equal, so neither of them is more likely to win than the other:
6. close on the heels of something very soon after something else
come/follow close on the heels of something
7. near to the surface of something:
8. run somebody close British English to be almost as successful, skilful etc as someone else:
⇨ sail close to the wind at sail1(6)
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noun[singular] formal the end of an activity or of a period of time:
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noun British English1. [singular] used in street names for a road that has only one way in or out:
2. [countable usually singular] the area and buildings surrounding a cathedral
Shut can suggest more noise and is often found in phrases such asslammed shut ,banged shut ,snapped shut .* shut 可含发出较大声音之义，常见于 slammed shut、banged shut、snapped shut（砰的一声关上）等短语中。 Shut is also usually used for containers such as boxes, suitcases, etc.关上盒子、手提箱等亦常用 shut。 To talk about the time when shops, offices, etc. are not open, use close orshut .商店、办事处等停业或不办公用 close 或 shut 均可 ：◆ What time do the banks close/shut? 银行什么时候关门？ ◆ A strike has shut the factory. 罢工使工厂停业。 You can also use closed orshut (NAmE closed ).亦可用 closed 或 shut（美式英语常用 closed）表示 ：◆ The store is closed/shut today. 这家商店今天不营业。 Especially in NAmE shut can sound less polite.尤其在美式英语中，shut 听起来欠礼貌。 Closed is used in front of a noun, butshut is not.* closed 可用于名词前，shut 则不能 ：◆ a closed window 关着的窗户 We usually use closed about roads, airports, etc.道路封闭、机场关闭等常用 closed ：◆ The road is closed because of the snow. 这条路因下雪而封闭。 Close is also used in formal English to talk about ending a meeting or conversation.* close 亦用于正式英语中，表示结束会议或谈话。
◆ I'm afraid time is running out/we're running out of time, so we'll have to make this the final question.恐怕时间不多了，所以这将是我们最后一个问题了。 ◆ We've only got a couple of minutes left, socan we summarize what we've agreed?我们只剩下几分钟了，所以概括一下已经达成一致的意见好吗？ ◆ I'd like to close the session with a few final remarks… 我想最后说几句来结束这次会议… ◆ We'll have to leave it there, but thank you all very much for your input.我们就到这儿吧，非常感谢大家的参与。 ◆ Well, that's all we have time for today, but we'll meet again on Tuesday.好了，我们今天没有时间了，但星期二我们将再次开会。 ◆ I'd like to thank you all for coming and for a very productive meeting.感谢大家出席这次会议，以及为这次富有成效的会议付出的努力。
The adjectives near andclose are often the same in meaning, but in some phrases only one of them may be used.形容词 near 和 close 通常含义相同，但在某些短语中只能用其中一个 ：◆ the near future 不久的将来 ◆ a near neighbour 近邻 ◆ a near miss 差点儿命中 ◆ a close contest 势均力敌的竞赛 ◆ a close encounter 近距离接触 ◆ a close call 侥幸脱险 Close is more often used to describe a relationship between people.* close 更常用于描述人与人之间的关系 ：◆ a close friend 密友 ◆ close family 关系亲密的家庭 ◆ close links 紧密的联系 You do not usually use near in this way.* near 通常不这样用。
especially