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6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If there is a close connection or resemblance between two things, they are strongly connected or are very similar. □  There is a close connection between pain and tension. □  Clare's close resemblance to his elder sister invoked a deep dislike in him. ●  close|ly ADV [ADV before v, ADV -ed] □  …a pattern closely resembling a cross. □  …fruits closely related to the orange.

7 ADJ Close inspection or observation of something is careful and thorough. □  He discovered, on closer inspection, that the rocks contained gold. □  Let's have a closer look. ●  close|ly ADV [ADV with v] □  If you look closely at the problems in society, you'll see evidence of discrimination.

8 ADJ A close competition or election is won or seems likely to be won by only a small amount. □  It is still a close contest between two leading opposition parties. □  It's going to be very close. ●  close|ly ADV [usu ADV -ed] □  This will be a closely fought race.

9 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are close to something or if it is close , it is likely to happen or come soon. If you are close to doing something, you are likely to do it soon. □ [+ to ] She sounded close to tears. □  A senior White House official said the agreement is close. □ [+ to ] He's close to signing a contract.

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.

19at close quarters → see quarter

20at 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