10 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If something is close or comes close to something else, it almost is, does, or experiences that thing. □ [+ to ] An airliner came close to disaster while approaching Heathrow Airport.
11 ADJ If the atmosphere somewhere is close , it is unpleasantly warm with not enough air.
12 PHRASE Something that is close by or close at hand is near to you. □ Did a new hairdressing shop open close by? □ Lake and mountain scenery is also close at hand: it's a 90-minute drive to the Mont-Tremblant ski resort.
13 PHRASE If you describe an event as a close shave , a close thing , or a close call , you mean that an accident or a disaster very nearly happened. □ You had a close shave, but you knew when you accepted this job that there would be risks.
14 PHRASE If you keep a close eye on someone or something or keep a close watch on them, you observe them carefully to make sure they are progressing as you want them to. □ The President's foreign policy team are keeping a close eye on events.
15 PHRASE Close to a particular amount or distance means slightly less than that amount or distance. In British English, you can also say close on a particular amount or distance. □ [+ to ] Sisulu spent close to 30 years in prison. □ [+ on ] Catering may now account for close on a quarter of pub turnover.
16 PHRASE If you look at something close up or close to , you look at it when you are very near to it. □ [+ up ] They always look smaller close up.
17 → see also close-up
18 PHRASE If something such as a competition or an election is too close to call , it is not possible to predict who will win because it seems likely to be won by only a very small margin. [JOURNALISM ] □ In the Senate, the count is too close to call at this point.
19 at close quarters → see quarter
20 at close range → see range
➌ close ◆◇◇ /kloʊ z/ (closes , closing , closed ) VERB If you are closing on someone or something that you are following, you are getting nearer and nearer to them. □ [V + on ] I was within 15 seconds of the guy in second place and closing on him. [Also V ]
▸ close in
1 PHRASAL VERB If a group of people close in on a person or place, they come nearer and nearer to them and gradually surround them. □ [V P + on ] Eight thousand soldiers were closing in on him. □ [V P ] As Parretti walked across the tarmac, fraud officers closed in.
2 PHRASAL VERB When winter or darkness closes in , it arrives. □ [V P ] The dark nights and cold weather are closing in.
➍ Close /kloʊ s/ (Closes ) N‑COUNT [n N ] Close is used in the names of some streets in Britain. □ …116 Dendridge Close.
close-cropped /kloʊ s krɒ pt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Close-cropped hair or grass is cut very short.
closed /kloʊ zd/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A closed group of people does not welcome new people or ideas from outside. □ It was to be a closed circle of no more than twelve women. □ It is a closed society in the sense that they've not been exposed to many things.
2 → see also close ➊
3 a closed book → see book
4 behind closed doors → see door
clo sed-ci rcuit also closed circuit ADJ [ADJ n] A closed-circuit television or video system is one that operates within a limited area such as a building. □ There's a closed-circuit television camera in the reception area.
clo sed sho p (closed shops ) N‑COUNT If a factory, shop, or other business is a closed shop , the employees must be members of a particular trade union. [BUSINESS ] □ …the trade union which they are required to join under the closed shop agreement.
close-fitting /kloʊ s f I t I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Close-fitting clothes fit tightly and show the shape of your body.
close-knit /kloʊ s n I t/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A close-knit group of people are closely linked, do things together, and take an interest in each other. □ Events over the last year have created a close-knit community.
close-run /kloʊ s rʌ n/ ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe something such as a race or contest as a close-run thing, you mean that it was only won by a very small amount. □ In such a close-run race as this election, the campaign becomes all important.
close sea|son /kloʊ s siːzən/ in AM, use closed season N‑SING In football and some other sports, the close season is the period of the year when the sport is not played professionally. [BRIT ] □ Football clubs have been busy in the close season transfer market.
clos|et /klɒ z I t/ (closets )
1 N‑COUNT A closet is a piece of furniture with doors at the front and shelves inside, which is used for storing things. [AM ] in BRIT, use cupboard 2 N‑COUNT A closet is a very small room for storing things, especially one without windows. [AM , also BRIT , OLD-FASHIONED ]
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Closet is used to describe a person who has beliefs, habits, or feelings which they keep secret, often because they are embarrassed about them. Closet is also used of their beliefs, habits, or feelings. □ He is a closet Fascist.
4 → see also closeted
5 a skeleton in the closet → see skeleton
clos|et|ed /klɒ z I t I d/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are closeted with someone, you are talking privately to them. [FORMAL or LITERARY ] □ Charles and I were closeted in his study for the briefing session.