close
Definitions
To move something so as to block an opening; to shut.
关，关闭，合上。
To bring to an end; to stop operating.
结束；停业，关停。
Near in space, time, or relationship.
近的；亲近的，密切的。
Nearly equal; decided by a small margin.
（差距）接近的，势均力敌的。
At or to a short distance.
靠近地，紧挨着。
The end or final part of a period or event.
结束，结尾。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedclose comes straight from Latin claudere (shut), via French — the softer clos- spelling of the clud family. The verb 'to shut' is the core. The adjective 'near' grew from the same idea: a closed gap is a small one, so two things with little space between them are 'close.' That's why the same spelling covers both shutting and nearness.
Root clud still carries 24 more wordsWhy It Means This
How can one word mean both 'shut' and 'near'? The link is the gap. When you close a door, you remove the gap between door and frame. From there, 'close' came to describe any small gap: people standing close together, a close race where the margin is tiny, a close friend with little emotional distance. The verb keeps the original 'shut' action; the adjective froze the result — almost no space left.
Usage Guide
Pronunciation splits by part of speech: the verb 'to close' ends in a voiced /z/ sound (kloʊz), while the adjective 'close' (near) ends in a voiceless /s/ (kloʊs). 'A close call' (/s/) vs 'close the door' (/z/). Same spelling, different sound — a common pitfall for learners.
Example Sentences
- 1.
Please close the window — it's getting cold.
- 2.
The shop closes at nine on weekdays.
- 3.
They live close to the station.
- 4.
It was a close game, decided in the final minute.
- 5.
We're very close friends.