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A1 verb #33 most common 11 min read

to close

Top 33

At the A1 level, 'to close' is one of the first verbs you learn. It is used for simple, physical actions that you do every day. You use it to talk about doors, windows, and books. For example, 'Close the door, please.' It is the opposite of 'open'. At this level, you also learn that shops 'close' at a certain time. The grammar is simple: 'I close', 'You close', 'He closes'. You don't need to worry about complex meanings yet. Just focus on the physical act of shutting something that was open. You might also hear it in the classroom when a teacher says, 'Close your books.' It is a very useful word for basic communication and following simple instructions. You should practice saying it with a 'z' sound at the end, like 'cloze'. This helps people understand you are using the action word. Remember, at A1, 'close' is mostly about things you can touch and move with your hands.

At the A2 level, you start to use 'to close' in more varied contexts. You still use it for physical objects, but you also use it for businesses and services. You can talk about 'closing times' and understand when a restaurant or a museum is no longer open. You might say, 'The bank closes at 4:00 PM.' You also begin to use it for parts of the body, like 'close your eyes' or 'close your mouth'. You might see it in digital contexts, like 'close the app' on your phone. At this level, you should be comfortable using the past tense 'closed'. For example, 'I closed the window because it was cold.' You also start to see phrasal verbs like 'close down', though usually in simple sentences like 'The shop closed down last month.' You are moving beyond just simple commands and starting to describe events and schedules using this verb.

At the B1 level, 'to close' becomes more abstract. You use it to talk about finishing tasks or ending discussions. You might 'close a file' on a computer or 'close a meeting'. In a business context, you start to hear about 'closing a deal', which means finishing a business agreement. You also learn to use 'close' to describe the end of a period of time, like 'closing the year'. The distinction between 'close' and 'shut' becomes more important; you learn that 'close' is often more formal or appropriate for non-physical things. You might also use it to describe narrowing a gap, like 'closing the distance' between two things. Your grammar becomes more complex, using 'to close' in perfect tenses: 'We have closed the account.' You are starting to see how this simple verb can be used in professional and social situations to signal the end of a process or a relationship.

At the B2 level, you use 'to close' with more precision and in more idiomatic ways. You understand the difference between 'closing' and 'closing down' (permanent) or 'closing up' (temporary/securing). You can use it in metaphorical senses, such as 'closing your mind' to new ideas or 'closing a chapter' in your life. In professional English, you are familiar with 'closing arguments' in a legal case or 'closing prices' in finance. You might use it to describe a competitive situation: 'The team is closing the gap on their rivals.' You also recognize more complex phrasal verbs and idioms, like 'to close in on someone' (to get nearer to catching them). Your use of the word is now fluid, and you can choose 'close' over synonyms like 'terminate' or 'conclude' based on the register of the conversation. You understand the nuances of tone that 'close' carries in different settings.

At the C1 level, your use of 'to close' is sophisticated and nuanced. You use it to describe subtle shifts in state or relationship. You might talk about 'closing the loop' on a project, meaning you are finishing all the final details to ensure everything is complete. You understand its use in technical or academic contexts, such as 'closing a circuit' in physics or 'closing the ranks' in a political or social group to show unity. You can use it to describe emotional states, like 'closing yourself off' from others. You are aware of the rhythmic and stylistic effects of using 'close' in writing. You might use the noun form 'closure' in psychological contexts, but you still use the verb 'to close' to describe the process of reaching that state. Your vocabulary is rich enough that you use 'close' intentionally, often pairing it with specific adverbs to describe the manner of the action, such as 'firmly close' or 'reluctantly close'.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'to close' in all its literal and figurative glory. You use it in high-level professional, academic, and literary contexts. You might use it to describe the resolution of a complex philosophical argument or the finality of a historical era. You are comfortable with rare or highly specific uses, such as 'closing a position' in advanced financial trading or 'closing a wound' in a medical description. You understand the etymological roots and how they influence the word's modern usage. You can play with the word in creative writing, using it to create atmosphere or symbolism. You are also fully aware of the social and cultural implications of 'closing'—from the 'closing of the frontier' in American history to the 'closing of the mind' in educational theory. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, characterized by precision, variety, and an effortless grasp of idiom and register.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

to close in 30 Seconds

To close is a basic verb meaning to shut an opening, such as a door or window, making it inaccessible.
It also describes the end of a business day or the permanent cessation of a company's operations.
Metaphorically, it refers to finishing a task, concluding a speech, or narrowing a gap between two things.
The word is essential for daily life, digital interactions, and professional communication across all CEFR levels.

The verb to close is one of the most fundamental actions in the English language, primarily describing the physical act of moving something so that an opening is covered or a space is no longer accessible. At its simplest level, it is the direct opposite of 'to open'. When you close a door, you are bringing the door frame and the door together to block passage. However, the utility of this word extends far beyond physical barriers. It encompasses the cessation of business operations, the conclusion of events, and even the narrowing of abstract gaps between ideas or people. Understanding 'to close' requires recognizing whether the context is physical, temporal, or metaphorical.

Physical Obstruction: This refers to moving a lid, a door, a window, or a gate to block an entrance or exit. It is the most common usage for beginners. For example, when the wind blows, you might need to close the window to keep the rain out of the room.

Please remember to close the gate so the dog doesn't run out into the street.

Business Operations: In a commercial context, 'to close' means that a shop, bank, or office is no longer open for customers. This can be a daily occurrence, such as a grocery store closing at 10 PM, or a permanent one, such as a business failing and closing its doors forever.

The local bakery had to close because they could no longer afford the high rent in the city center.

Body Parts: We use 'close' for eyes and mouths. To close your eyes is often a precursor to sleep or a reaction to fear. To close your mouth is to stop speaking or eating. It is a vital part of non-verbal communication and biological function.

The tired child struggled to close her eyes despite being exhausted from the long day at the park.

The surgeon asked the patient to close their eyes before the procedure began.

It is polite to close your mouth while you are chewing your food during dinner.

Furthermore, 'to close' is used in technology. We close applications on our phones, close tabs in our web browsers, and close files on our computers. In these cases, it means to terminate the active state of a digital entity. In the world of finance, closing an account means ending your relationship with a bank. In sports, a team might close a gap in the score, meaning they are catching up to their opponent. The word is incredibly versatile, appearing in almost every domain of human activity from the most mundane physical task to the most complex financial transaction. Whether you are closing a book after finishing a chapter or closing a multi-million dollar deal in a boardroom, the core concept remains the same: bringing something to a point of completion or non-access.

Using 'to close' correctly requires an understanding of its transitivity and its various objects. As a transitive verb, it takes a direct object: you close something. As an intransitive verb, it describes the state of an entity ending its period of availability. For example, 'I close the shop' (transitive) versus 'The shop closes' (intransitive). The tense changes follow standard regular verb patterns: close, closed, closing. However, the context determines which prepositional phrases might follow, such as 'close with', 'close down', or 'close up'.

Imperative Usage: The imperative form is very common for giving instructions or requests. It is often paired with 'please' to maintain politeness. 'Close the door' is a command; 'Please close the door' is a request.

Before you leave the house, make sure to close all the windows to prevent any rain from entering.

Future Intentions: When discussing plans, we often use 'going to' or 'will' with 'close'. This is frequent in business announcements or personal habits. 'I will close the laptop once I finish this email.'

The management announced that they are going to close the factory by the end of the fiscal year.

It took several months of negotiation to close the merger between the two technology giants.

Describing Habits: Using the present simple, we describe recurring actions. 'He always closes the curtains at night.' This indicates a regular pattern of behavior involving the verb.

The library usually starts to close its main doors ten minutes before the official ending time.

If you don't want the sun to wake you up, you should to close the blinds completely.

In more advanced usage, 'to close' can be used to describe the physical narrowing of a gap. 'The runner began to close the distance between himself and the leader.' Here, it is not about a door or a shop, but about the space between two moving objects. Similarly, in a debate, one might 'close' their argument, meaning they are providing the final, concluding points. The verb is also essential in the phrase 'to close down', which specifically implies a permanent cessation of activity, often due to external pressure or failure. For example, 'The police closed down the illegal club.' Understanding these nuances allows a learner to move from simple A1 sentences to complex, native-like expressions.

You will encounter 'to close' in a staggering variety of real-world situations. From the moment you wake up and 'close' the alarm app on your phone to the moment you 'close' your eyes at night, the word is a constant companion. In public spaces, you will hear it over loudspeakers at malls ('The mall will be closing in fifteen minutes'), in classrooms ('Please close your textbooks'), and in transit ('The doors are closing, please stand clear'). It is a word that signals transitions, endings, and boundaries.

In Retail and Service: Shop assistants and waiters use this word constantly. They might say, 'We are about to close,' or 'I need to close out the register.' It defines the temporal boundaries of the service industry.

The waiter politely informed us that the kitchen was about to close for the afternoon break.

In Digital Environments: Software interfaces are full of 'close' buttons, usually represented by an 'X'. Error messages might tell you 'The program has closed unexpectedly.' This digital usage is now as common as the physical one.

You should to close all unnecessary background apps to save your phone's battery life.

The stock market is expected to close at a record high after the positive economic report.

In Education: Teachers use 'close' to manage the classroom. 'Close your books and look at the board.' It marks the end of one activity and the beginning of another.

The professor asked everyone to close their laptops to ensure full attention during the guest lecture.

When the exam time is up, the proctor will tell you to close your test booklets immediately.

In social settings, you might hear 'to close' in the context of ending a conversation or a party. 'Let's close the night with one last song.' In sports, a commentator might say, 'He is closing in on the finish line!' This variety shows that 'to close' is not just a verb of action, but a verb of state-change. It is heard in the quietest moments of a library and the loudest moments of a stock exchange. Whether it is a physical latch clicking shut or a metaphorical chapter of life ending, the word 'close' provides the linguistic framework for finality and enclosure.

Despite its apparent simplicity, 'to close' presents several pitfalls for English learners. The most frequent errors involve pronunciation, confusion with similar verbs like 'shut', and the misuse of the adjective form. Because 'close' functions as both a verb and an adjective with different sounds, learners often mix them up in speech. Furthermore, the distinction between 'close' and 'close down' can be subtle but important for conveying the correct meaning of a business's status.

Pronunciation Confusion: The verb 'to close' is pronounced with a voiced /z/ sound at the end. The adjective 'close' (meaning near) is pronounced with an unvoiced /s/ sound. Saying 'I am /kloʊz/ to the house' is a common mistake; it should be /kloʊs/.

Many learners forget to close the /z/ sound when using the word as a verb in conversation.

Close vs. Shut: While often interchangeable, 'shut' is sometimes more forceful or informal. You 'close' your eyes, but you might 'shut' a door loudly. You cannot 'shut' a bank account; you must 'close' it. Using 'shut' in formal business contexts is a common error.

It is more professional to close a meeting than to say you are going to 'shut' it.

He had to close the suitcase because he had packed too many clothes for the trip.

Misusing 'Close Down': Learners often say 'The shop is closed down' when they just mean it is 9 PM and the shop is shut for the night. 'Closed down' implies the shop is out of business forever. This can cause significant confusion.

If you only mean the doors are locked for the night, just say the store is going to close.

Be careful not to close the tab before you have saved your work on the website.

Another common mistake is the word order in phrasal verbs. While you can 'close the shop down' or 'close down the shop', some learners struggle with where to put the object. Additionally, using 'close' when 'turn off' is required is a frequent interference from other languages. In English, you 'turn off' a light or a TV, but you 'close' a window or a book. Saying 'close the light' is a classic mistake for speakers of Romance languages. By paying attention to these specific areas, learners can avoid the most common traps and use 'to close' with the precision of a native speaker.

While 'to close' is the most common way to describe this action, English offers a variety of synonyms that provide more specific nuances. Choosing the right alternative can make your speech more descriptive and precise. Whether you are looking for a more formal term, a more forceful one, or one that applies specifically to certain objects, understanding the landscape of 'closing' words is essential for advanced fluency.

Shut: 'Shut' is the closest synonym. It is often used for doors, windows, and mouths. It can feel slightly more abrupt than 'close'. For example, 'Shut the door!' sounds more like a command than 'Close the door.'

He decided to close the window instead of just shutting it halfway.

Seal: 'Seal' implies closing something so tightly that nothing can get in or out, often using an adhesive or a special lock. You seal an envelope or a container of food. It suggests a higher level of security or preservation.

After you finish the letter, you need to close the envelope and seal it with a stamp.

The chairman wanted to close the session by thanking all the participants for their time.

Slam: 'Slam' means to close something with great force and noise. It usually indicates anger or haste. You might slam a door during an argument, which is a very specific way of closing it.

It is better to close the door gently than to slam it and wake up the baby.

The store owner had to close up early because of the heavy snowstorm.

Other alternatives include 'fasten' (for clothing or belts), 'bolt' (for doors with a sliding bar), and 'clinch' (for finalizing a deal or a victory). In the digital world, we might use 'exit' or 'quit' instead of 'close' for applications. In formal writing, 'bring to a close' or 'bring to a conclusion' are elegant ways to describe the end of a process. By expanding your vocabulary to include these synonyms, you can express the exact manner and context of the closing action, moving beyond the basic A1 level and demonstrating a sophisticated command of the English language.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word 'clause' in grammar and 'closet' in a house both come from the same Latin root 'claudere'. They all relate to the idea of something being shut or enclosed.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kləʊz/

US /kloʊz/

Single syllable word; the stress is on the entire word.

Rhymes With

nose rose goes shows toes blows flows knows

Common Errors

Pronouncing the ending with an 's' sound (like the adjective 'close').
Confusing the vowel sound with 'claws'.
Adding an extra syllable at the end.
Not voicing the 'z' sound clearly enough.
Confusing it with the word 'clothes'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text as it is a high-frequency word.

Writing 1/5

Simple spelling, but remember the 'd' for past tense.

Speaking 2/5

The /z/ sound at the end is often missed by learners.

Listening 2/5

Can be confused with 'clothes' or the adjective 'close'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

open door window shop go

Learn Next

shut lock finish end seal

Advanced

conclude terminate finalize clinch obstruct

Grammar to Know

Regular Verb Conjugation

I close, he closes, we closed, they are closing.

Transitive vs. Intransitive

I close the door (transitive). The door closes (intransitive).

Phrasal Verbs

Close down, close up, close in, close out.

Infinitive of Purpose

I went back to close the window.

Passive Voice

The shop was closed by the owner at midnight.

Examples by Level

Please close the door.

S'il vous plaît, fermez la porte.

Imperative form used for a polite request.

I close my book.

Je ferme mon livre.

Present simple tense for a current action.

The shop closes at 6 PM.

Le magasin ferme à 18h.

Third person singular 's' added to the verb.

Can you close the window?

Peux-tu fermer la fenêtre ?

Question form using the modal verb 'can'.

Close your eyes and sleep.

Ferme les yeux et dors.

Imperative form for a suggestion or command.

She closes the box.

Elle ferme la boîte.

Present simple with a third-person subject.

We close the gate every night.

Nous fermons le portail chaque nuit.

Present simple describing a habit.

Don't forget to close the fridge.

N'oublie pas de fermer le frigo.

Negative imperative followed by an infinitive.

The museum closed early yesterday.

Le musée a fermé tôt hier.

Past simple tense of a regular verb.

I am closing the laptop now.

Je ferme l'ordinateur portable maintenant.

Present continuous for an action happening now.

They closed the road for the race.

Ils ont fermé la route pour la course.

Past simple indicating a completed action.

He closed his mouth and listened.

Il a fermé la bouche et a écouté.

Two past simple verbs connected by 'and'.

The bank is going to close soon.

La banque va bientôt fermer.

'Going to' future for a predicted event.

Did you close the back door?

As-tu fermé la porte de derrière ?

Past simple question using 'did'.

She always closes her curtains at 8.

Elle ferme toujours ses rideaux à 8h.

Present simple with the frequency adverb 'always'.

The school closes for the summer.

L'école ferme pour l'été.

Present simple for a scheduled event.

We need to close the account today.

Nous devons fermer le compte aujourd'hui.

Infinitive after the verb 'need'.

The lawyer helped them close the deal.

L'avocat les a aidés à conclure l'affaire.

Bare infinitive after the object of 'help'.

The meeting closed with a short prayer.

La réunion s'est terminée par une courte prière.

Intransitive use meaning 'to end'.

I've closed all the tabs on my browser.

J'ai fermé tous les onglets de mon navigateur.

Present perfect for a recently completed action.

The gap between the cars is closing.

L'écart entre les voitures se réduit.

Present continuous describing a narrowing space.

They had to close the factory down.

Ils ont dû fermer l'usine définitivement.

Phrasal verb 'close down' meaning permanent closure.

Please close the file before you exit.

Veuillez fermer le fichier avant de quitter.

Imperative in a digital context.

He closed the speech with a joke.

Il a terminé son discours par une blague.

Transitive use meaning 'to conclude'.

The police closed in on the suspect.

La police a encerclé le suspect.

Phrasal verb 'close in on' meaning to surround.

It's time to close this chapter of my life.

Il est temps de tourner cette page de ma vie.

Metaphorical use for ending a life stage.

The store is closing out its old stock.

Le magasin liquide son ancien stock.

Phrasal verb 'close out' meaning to sell off.

She closed her mind to his suggestions.

Elle a fermé son esprit à ses suggestions.

Metaphorical use for being unreceptive.

The stock market closed at a record high.

La bourse a clôturé à un niveau record.

Technical use in finance.

We must close the gap in our knowledge.

Nous devons combler nos lacunes.

Metaphorical use for reducing a deficiency.

The wound took a long time to close.

La blessure a mis longtemps à se refermer.

Intransitive use for biological healing.

He closed the deal with a firm handshake.

Il a conclu l'affaire par une poignée de main ferme.

Standard business idiom.

The government is closing the loop on tax evasion.

Le gouvernement met fin aux échappatoires fiscales.

Idiom 'close the loop' meaning to finalize or fix.

The ranks closed around the embattled leader.

Les rangs se sont serrés autour du chef en difficulté.

Idiom 'close ranks' meaning to unite for protection.

The curtains are closing on her long career.

Le rideau tombe sur sa longue carrière.

Metaphorical use based on theater terminology.

He tried to close the distance between them emotionally.

Il a essayé de réduire la distance émotionnelle entre eux.

Metaphorical use for improving a relationship.

The investigation is finally closing in on the truth.

L'enquête approche enfin de la vérité.

Phrasal verb used for abstract discovery.

The company decided to close out the fiscal year early.

L'entreprise a décidé de clôturer l'exercice plus tôt.

Technical business usage.

The darkness seemed to close in from all sides.

L'obscurité semblait se refermer de tous côtés.

Descriptive, atmospheric use of 'close in'.

She closed the discussion with a definitive statement.

Elle a clos la discussion par une déclaration définitive.

Transitive use for formal conclusion.

The treaty served to close a dark era of conflict.

Le traité a servi à clore une sombre ère de conflit.

High-level historical/political usage.

The author closes the novel with an ambiguous ending.

L'auteur termine le roman par une fin ambiguë.

Literary analysis usage.

The surgeon worked meticulously to close the incision.

Le chirurgien a travaillé méticuleusement pour refermer l'incision.

Technical medical usage.

The argument failed to close the rift between the parties.

L'argument n'a pas réussi à combler le fossé entre les parties.

Metaphorical use for social/political division.

The closing of the frontier changed the national psyche.

La fermeture de la frontière a changé le psychisme national.

Gerund form used as a historical concept.

He was unable to close the circle of his logic.

Il était incapable de boucler la boucle de sa logique.

Abstract philosophical usage.

The evening was brought to a close by a spectacular display.

La soirée s'est achevée par un spectacle spectaculaire.

Passive construction 'brought to a close'.

The predator began to close the net on its prey.

Le prédateur a commencé à resserrer le filet sur sa proie.

Metaphorical use for entrapment.

Common Collocations

close the door

close a deal

close an account

close your eyes

close the gap

close the window

close a meeting

close a shop

close a file

close a book

Common Phrases

close down

close up

close in

close out

close off

close the loop

close the ranks

close a chapter

close to home

close the books

Often Confused With

to close vs clothes

They sound very similar but 'clothes' are items of clothing you wear.

to close vs close (adjective)

The adjective means 'near' and ends with an 's' sound, not a 'z' sound.

to close vs shut

Shut is more informal and sometimes more forceful than close.

Idioms & Expressions

"close but no cigar"

To be very near to success but still fail.

He almost won the race—close but no cigar.

informal

"close the stable door after the horse has bolted"

To take precautions after the damage is already done.

Installing an alarm now is closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.

neutral

"close-fisted"

To be unwilling to spend money; stingy.

My uncle is very close-fisted.

informal

"close-knit"

A group of people who are very supportive and stay together.

They are a very close-knit family.

neutral

"at close quarters"

Very near to someone or something.

The soldiers fought at close quarters.

neutral

"close the deal"

To finalize a business agreement.

She is the best person to close the deal.

professional

"close call"

A narrow escape from danger or failure.

That car almost hit us—it was a close call.

informal

"close to one's heart"

Something that is very important to someone.

Animal rights is a cause close to her heart.

neutral

"keep a close eye on"

To watch someone or something very carefully.

Keep a close eye on the soup so it doesn't boil over.

neutral

"behind closed doors"

In private; not in public.

The decision was made behind closed doors.

neutral

Easily Confused

to close vs Turn off

Many languages use the same word for closing a door and turning off a light.

In English, you 'close' a door but 'turn off' a light or electronic device.

Please turn off the light and close the door.

to close vs Shut

They are synonyms but have different tones.

Shut is often more abrupt. You close an account, but you don't shut an account.

He shut the window quickly when it started to rain.

to close vs End

Both can mean to finish something.

Close implies a transition or shutting an opening; end is more general.

The movie ended, so we closed the theater.

to close vs Seal

Both involve shutting something.

Seal means to close something so tightly that nothing can pass through.

Seal the envelope before you mail it.

to close vs Lock

People often do both at the same time.

Closing is the movement; locking is using a key or bolt to secure it.

First close the door, then lock it.

Sentence Patterns

Close the [noun].

Close the book.

Please close the [noun].

Please close the window.

The [noun] closes at [time].

The bank closes at five.

I closed the [noun] because [reason].

I closed the door because it was cold.

We need to close the [abstract noun].

We need to close the account.

He closed the [event] with [action].

He closed the meeting with a summary.

The [noun] is closing in on [target].

The police are closing in on the thief.

It is time to close the loop on [topic].

It is time to close the loop on this project.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in both spoken and written English.

Common Mistakes

Close the light. → Turn off the light.
In English, 'close' is not used for electrical devices.
I am /kloʊz/ to you. → I am /kloʊs/ to you.
The adjective 'close' (near) uses the /s/ sound, not the /z/ sound.
The shop is closed down for the night. → The shop is closed for the night.
'Closed down' implies the shop has permanently stopped business.
He shutted the door. → He shut the door.
'Shut' is an irregular verb (shut-shut-shut). 'Closed' is the regular alternative.
I need to close my clothes. → I need to put on my clothes / I need to close my suitcase.
Confusion between the verb 'close' and the noun 'clothes'.

Tips

The Z Sound

Always remember to voice the final consonant. It should sound like a buzzing bee: /kloʊz/.

Close vs. Turn Off

Never use 'close' for lights or electronics. Use 'turn off' or 'switch off' instead.

Intransitive Use

Remember that 'close' can be used without an object. 'The store closes at nine' is perfectly correct.

Closing Deals

In a professional setting, 'closing' is a very positive word that signals success and completion.

Close the Loop

Use this phrase in meetings to sound more professional when you want to finish a project.

Drop the E

When adding '-ing', remember to drop the 'e': closing, not closeing.

Body Parts

You close your eyes, mouth, and hands. You don't usually 'close' your ears (you cover them).

Closing Chapters

Use 'close a chapter' when writing about big life changes like graduation or moving.

Close the Tab

In the digital age, 'close' is the standard word for exiting any software window.

Shut Up

Be very careful with 'shut'. While 'close' is neutral, 'shut' can sometimes sound aggressive.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'z' at the end of 'close' (verb) as the sound of a zipper closing. 'Zipper' starts with 'Z', and 'close' ends with 'Z'.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant red 'X' button on a computer screen. When you click it, the window disappears because you closed it.

Word Web

Door Window Shop Eyes Deal Account App Meeting

Challenge

Try to use 'to close' in three different ways today: once for a physical object, once for a digital app, and once for a business.

Word Origin

From the Old French word 'clore', which comes from the Latin 'claudere', meaning 'to shut'. It has been used in English since the 13th century.

Original meaning: To shut, to stop up, or to finish.

Indo-European (Latinate through French).

Cultural Context

Be careful when telling someone to 'close their mouth' as it can be very rude (equivalent to 'shut up').

In the UK, 'Closing time!' is a famous shout in pubs to signal the last chance to buy a drink.

The song 'Closing Time' by Semisonic. The phrase 'Case closed' in detective movies. The book 'The Closing of the American Mind' by Allan Bloom.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At Home

Close the curtains
Close the fridge
Close the drawer
Close the gate

At Work

Close the meeting
Close the deal
Close the office
Close the file

Shopping

What time do you close?
The store is closing
Close the register
Closing sale

Technology

Close the tab
Close the app
Close the window
Close the program

Body Actions

Close your eyes
Close your mouth
Close your hand
Close your ears

Conversation Starters

"What time does your favorite coffee shop close during the week?"

"Do you always close your bedroom door when you go to sleep?"

"Is it hard for you to close a book before you finish the chapter?"

"Have you ever had to close a bank account because of bad service?"

"When do you think they will close the local park for renovations?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time when you had to close a chapter of your life and start something new.

Write about the importance of closing your eyes and relaxing after a very long day.

How do you feel when your favorite store closes down permanently in your neighborhood?

Think about a difficult decision you made behind closed doors. What was the result?

What are three things you always make sure to close before you leave your house?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In English, you should always say 'turn off the light'. 'Close the light' is a common mistake for non-native speakers. You close things like doors, windows, and books.

'Close' is more common and can be used in formal and informal situations. 'Shut' is slightly more informal and can sound more forceful. For example, 'Shut up!' is very rude, while 'Close your mouth' is a bit more descriptive.

The verb 'to close' is pronounced with a /z/ sound at the end, like 'cloze'. This is different from the adjective 'close' (meaning near), which has an /s/ sound.

No, you should just say 'the shop is closed'. 'Closed down' means the shop has stopped doing business forever. If it's just for the night, use 'closed'.

It is a common business idiom that means to finalize an agreement or contract. It is the last step in a negotiation.

'Close up' is often used for securing a building for the night or for a wound that is healing. For example, 'The doctor closed up the cut with three stitches.'

Yes, 'close' is a regular verb. The past tense and past participle are both 'closed', and the present participle is 'closing'.

Yes, it is very common to 'close an app', 'close a window', or 'close a file' on a computer or smartphone.

It means to move closer to someone or something, often in a way that surrounds them or makes them feel trapped. For example, 'The hunters closed in on the deer.'

The most common opposite is 'to open'. Depending on the context, other opposites could be 'to start', 'to launch', or 'to expand'.