adjective / adverb

close

Separated by only a small distance or difference.

The children stay close to their parents in the crowd.

Etymology

Latin claudere meant to shut. Close developed the idea of being confined or tightly joined, which connects enclosure with objects separated by very little space.

More examples

  • The deadline is close, so we need to finish today.
  • Their scores are so close that either player could win.
  • Despite living far apart, we remain close friends.
  • She pays close attention to every instruction.

Forms

close · closer · closest

closeness noun — The state of being near or similar.

Similar words

near
Emphasizes a short distance in space or time.
similar
Emphasizes shared qualities rather than physical or emotional nearness.
narrow
Describes a small margin in scores, votes, or results.