Close vs. Near — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on October 3, 2023
Close vs. Near: "Close" often implies direct adjacency or minimal distance, while "near" suggests proximity without direct contact. Both indicate short spatial or temporal distance.
Difference Between Close and Near
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Close" and "near" are both used to describe proximity. However, "close" frequently has a sense of immediacy or direct adjacency, whereas "near" often implies a general vicinity without necessarily being adjacent.
In terms of emotional connections, one might say they are "close" to someone, denoting a strong bond. While "near" isn't often used in this context, it could denote physical proximity without emotional implications.
When considering locations, saying a store is "close" might suggest it's just around the corner, while describing it as "near" might mean it's in the broader neighborhood. Hence, "close" often has a more definitive connotation than "near."
Temporally speaking, "close" can refer to an imminent event (e.g., "The deadline is close."), whereas "near" might suggest an event is upcoming but not immediately so (e.g., "The deadline is near.").
In some contexts, both "close" and "near" can be used interchangeably without a significant shift in meaning. For instance, "She lives close to the park" and "She lives near the park" both convey similar messages of proximity.
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Comparison Chart
Implication
Direct adjacency or minimal distance
Proximity without necessarily being adjacent
Emotional Context
Often used to denote emotional proximity ("close friends")
Rarely used to denote emotional proximity
Definitiveness
More definitive in terms of spatial proximity
Less definitive, broader sense of proximity
Temporal Usage
Imminent events ("The meeting is close.")
Upcoming events, not immediately so ("The meeting is near.")
Interchangeability
Can sometimes replace "near" without change in meaning
Can sometimes replace "close" without significant change in meaning
Compare with Definitions
Close
Approaching a particular point.
The project is close to completion.
Near
At or to a short distance.
The bus stop is near the school.
Close
Only a short distance away or apart in space or time
Her birthday and mine were close together
The hotel is close to the sea
Why don't we go straight to the shops, as we're so close?
Near
Close to a time, point, or level.
The results are near completion.
Close
Denoting a family member who is part of a person's immediate family, typically a parent or sibling
The family history of cancer in close relatives
Near
Just missed or barely avoided.
That was a near miss!
Close
(of observation, examination, etc.) done in a careful and thorough way
Pay close attention to what your body is telling you about yourself
Near
To, at, or within a short distance or interval in space or time
Moved the table nearer to the wall.
As graduation draws near.
Close
Uncomfortably humid or airless
It was very close in the dressing room
A close, hazy day
Near
Just about; almost; nearly
Was near exhausted from the climb.
Close
Another term for high (sense 7 of the adjective)
Near
With or in a close relationship
It turns out we are near related.
Close
Very near to someone or something; with very little space between
He was holding her close
They stood close to the door
Near
Close in time, space, position, or degree
Near neighbors.
Near equals.
Close
A residential street without through access
She lives at 12 Goodwood Close
Near
Closely related by kinship or association; intimate
A near relative.
A near and dear friend.
Close
The end of an event or of a period of time or activity
The afternoon drew to a close
The seminar was brought to a close with a discussion of future trends
Near
Nearly occurring but not actually happening
A near victory.
A near disaster.
Close
The shutting of something, especially a door
The door jerked to a close behind them
Near
Just barely avoided
A near hit by the incendiary bomb.
Close
Move so as to cover an opening
She jumped on to the train just as the doors were closing
They had to close the window because of the insects
She closed the door quietly
I kept closing my eyes and nodding off
Near
Closely corresponding to or resembling an original
A near likeness.
Close
Bring or come to an end
The concert closed with ‘Silent Night’
The members were thanked for attending and the meeting was closed
Near
Closely resembling the genuine article
A dress of near satin.
Near silver beads.
Close
(of a business, organization, or institution) cease to be in operation or accessible to the public, either permanently or at the end of a working day or other period of time
A hoax call which closed the city's stations for 4 hours
The factory is to close with the loss of 150 jobs
Near
Closer of two or more
Take the near street and then turn right.
Close
Gradually get nearer to someone or something
He tried to walk faster, but each time the man closed up on him again
They plotted a large group of aircraft about 130 miles away and closing fast
Near
Being on the left side of an animal or vehicle.
Close
Being near in space or time. See Usage Note at redundancy.
Near
Being the animal or vehicle on the left.
Close
Being near in relationship
Close relatives.
Near
Short and direct
The nearest route to town.
Close
Bound by mutual interests, loyalties, or affections; intimate
Close friends.
Near
(Archaic) Stingy; parsimonious.
Close
Having little or no space between elements or parts; tight and compact
A close weave.
Near
Close to
An inn near London.
Close
Being near the surface; short
A close haircut.
Near
To come close or closer to
The plane neared the terminal.
Close
Being on the brink of
Close to tears.
Near
To draw near or nearer; approach
As the holiday nears.
Close
Decided by a narrow margin; almost even
A close election.
Near
Physically close.
I can't see near objects very clearly without my glasses.
Stay near at all times.
Close
Faithful to the original
A close copy.
Near
Close in time.
The end is near.
Close
Very attentive; rigorous; thorough
A close reading.
Close supervision.
Near
Closely connected or related.
The deceased man had no near relatives.
Close
Shut; closed.
Near
Close to one's interests, affection, etc.; intimate; dear.
A matter of near consequence to me.
A near friend
Close
Shut in; enclosed.
Near
Close to anything followed or imitated; not free, loose, or rambling.
A version near to the original
Close
Confining or narrow; crowded
Close quarters.
Near
So as barely to avoid or pass injury or loss; close; narrow.
A near escape
Close
Fitting tightly
Close garments.
Near
Approximate, almost.
The two words are near synonyms.
Close
Warm and humid or stuffy
Close weather.
A close room.
Near
On the side nearest to the kerb (the left-hand side if one drives on the left).
The near front wheel came loose.
Close
Confined to specific persons or groups
A close secret.
Near
(dated) Next to the driver, when he is on foot; (US) on the left of an animal or a team.
The near ox; the near leg
Close
Strictly confined or guarded
Kept under close custody.
Near
(obsolete) Immediate; direct; close; short.
Close
Secretive; reticent
Was close about her personal life.
Near
Stingy; parsimonious.
Don't be near with your pocketbook.
Close
Giving or spending with reluctance; stingy
He is known to be close with his money.
Near
Within the currently selected segment in a segmented memory architecture.
A near pointer
Close
Not easily acquired; scarce
Money was close.
Near
At or towards a position close in space or time. en
Close
(Linguistics) Pronounced with the tongue near the palate, as the ee in meet. Used of vowels.
Near
Nearly; almost.
He was near unconscious when I found him.
I jumped into the near-freezing water.
I near ruptured myself trying to move the piano.
Close
Marked by more rather than less punctuation, especially commas.
Near
Physically close to, in close proximity to.
There are habitable planets orbiting many of the stars near our Sun.
Close
To move (a door, for example) so that an opening or passage is covered or obstructed; shut.
Near
Close to in time.
The voyage was near completion.
Close
To bar access to
Closed the road for repairs.
Near
Close to in nature or degree.
His opinions are near the limit of what is acceptable.
Close
To fill or stop up
Closed the cracks with plaster.
Near
(ambitransitive) To come closer to; to approach.
The ship nears the land.
Close
To stop the operations of permanently or temporarily
Closed down the factory.
Near
The left side of a horse or of a team of horses pulling a carriage etc.
Off side
Close
To make unavailable for use
Closed the area to development.
Closed the database to further changes.
Near
At a little distance, in place, time, manner, or degree; not remote; nigh.
My wife! my traitress! let her not come near me.
Close
To bring to an end; terminate
Close a letter.
Close a bank account.
Near
Nearly; almost; well-nigh.
Near about the yearly value of the land.
Close
To bring together all the elements or parts of
Management closed ranks and ostracized the troublemaker.
Near
Closely; intimately.
Close
To join or unite; bring into contact
Close a circuit.
Near
Not far distant in time, place, or degree; not remote; close at hand; adjacent; neighboring; nigh.
He served great Hector, and was ever near,Not with his trumpet only, but his spear.
Close
To draw or bind together the edges of
Close a wound.
Near
Closely connected or related.
She is thy father's near kinswoman.
Close
(Sports) To modify (one's stance), as in baseball or golf, by turning the body so that the forward shoulder and foot are closer to the intended point of impact with the ball.
Near
Close to one's interests, affection, etc.; touching, or affecting intimately; intimate; dear; as, a near friend.
Close
To complete the final details or negotiations on
Close a deal.
Near
Close to anything followed or imitated; not free, loose, or rambling; as, a version near to the original.
Close
(Archaic) To enclose on all sides.
Near
So as barely to avoid or pass injury or loss; close; narrow{3}; as, a near escape; a near miss.
Close
To become shut
The door closed quietly.
Near
Immediate; direct; close; short.
Close
To come to an end; finish
The book closes on a hopeful note.
Near
Close-fisted; parsimonious.
Close
To reach an agreement; come to terms
We close on the house next week.
Near
To approach; to come nearer; as, the ship neared the land.
Close
To cease operation
The shop closes at six.
Near
To draw near; to approach.
A speck, a mist, a shape, I wist!And still it neared, and neared.
Close
To be priced or listed at a specified amount when trading ends
Stocks closed higher on Monday.
Near
Move towards;
We were approaching our destination
They are drawing near
The enemy army came nearer and nearer
Close
To engage at close quarters
Closed with the enemy.
Near
Not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances;
Near neighbors
In the near future
They are near equals
His nearest approach to success
A very near thing
A near hit by the bomb
She was near tears
She was close to tears
Had a close call
Close
To draw near
The orbiter closed with the space station in preparation for docking.
Near
Being on the left side;
The near or nigh horse is the one on the left
The animal's left side is its near or nigh side
Close
To come together
My arms closed around the little child.
Near
Closely resembling the genuine article;
Near beer
A dress of near satin
Close
(Baseball) To finish a game by protecting a lead. Used of relief pitchers.
Near
Giving or spending with reluctance;
Our cheeseparing administration
Very close (or near) with his money
A penny-pinching miserly old man
Close
The act of closing.
Near
With or in a close or intimate relationship;
A good friend
My sisters and brothers are near and dear
Close
A conclusion; a finish
The meeting came to a close.
Near
Very close in resemblance;
Sketched in an approximate likeness
A near likeness
Close
(Music) The concluding part of a phrase or theme; a cadence.
Near
Near in time or place or relationship;
As the wedding day drew near
Stood near the door
Don't shoot until they come near
Getting near to the true explanation
Her mother is always near
The end draws nigh
The bullet didn't come close
Don't get too close to the fire
Close
(klōs) An enclosed place, especially land surrounding or beside a cathedral or other building.
Near
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; `near' is sometimes used informally for `nearly' and `most' is sometimes used informally for `almost';
The job is (just) about done
The baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded
We're almost finished
The car all but ran her down
He nearly fainted
Talked for nigh onto 2 hours
The recording is well-nigh perfect
Virtually all the parties signed the contract
I was near exhausted by the run
Most everyone agrees
Close
(klōs) Chiefly British A narrow way or alley.
Near
Closely related or alike.
His skills are near perfection.
Close
(Archaic) A fight at close quarters.
Near
Almost happening or being accomplished.
He was near tears.
Close
In a close position or manner; closely
Stayed close together.
Close
(physical) To remove a gap.
Close
To obstruct (an opening).
Close
To move so that an opening is closed.
Close the door behind you when you leave.
Jim was listening to headphones with his eyes closed.
Close
To make (e.g. a gap) smaller.
The runner in second place is closing the gap on the leader.
To close the ranks of an army
Close
To move to a position preventing fluid from flowing.
Close
To move to a position allowing electricity to flow.
Close
To grapple; to engage in close combat.
Close
To finish, to terminate.
Close
To put an end to; to conclude; to complete; to finish; to consummate.
Close the session;
To close a bargain;
To close a course of instruction
Close
To come to an end.
The debate closed at six o'clock.
Close
(marketing) To make a sale.
Close
To make the final outs, usually three, of a game.
He has closed the last two games for his team.
Close
To terminate an application, window, file or database connection, etc.
Close
To cancel or reverse (a trading position).
Close
To come or gather around; to enclose; to encompass; to confine.
Close
(surveying) To have a vector sum of 0; that is, to form a closed polygon.
Close
(intransitive) To do the tasks (putting things away, locking doors, etc.) required to prepare a store or other establishment to shut down for the night.
Whoever closed last night forgot to turn off the closet light.
Close
(Philippines) To turn off; to switch off.
Close
An end or conclusion.
We owe them our thanks for bringing the project to a successful close.
Close
The manner of shutting; the union of parts; junction.
Close
(sales) The point at the end of a sales pitch when the consumer is asked to buy.
Close
A grapple in wrestling.
Close
(music) The conclusion of a strain of music; cadence.
Close
(music) A double bar marking the end.
Close
The time when checkin staff will no longer accept passengers for a flight.
Close
An enclosed field.
Close
(chiefly British) A street that ends in a dead end.
Close
(Scotland) A very narrow alley between two buildings, often overhung by one of the buildings above the ground floor.
Close
(Scotland) The common staircase in a tenement.
Close
A cathedral close.
Close
(legal) The interest which one may have in a piece of ground, even though it is not enclosed
Close
Closed, shut.
Close
Narrow; confined.
A close alley; close quarters
Close
At a little distance; near.
Is your house close?
Close
Intimate; well-loved.
He is a close friend.
Close
(legal) Of a corporation or other business entity, closely held.
Close
Oppressive; without motion or ventilation; causing a feeling of lassitude.
Close
Hot, humid, with no wind.
Close
Articulated with the tongue body relatively close to the hard palate.
Close
Strictly confined; carefully guarded.
A close prisoner
Close
(obsolete) Out of the way of observation; secluded; secret; hidden.
Close
Nearly equal; almost evenly balanced.
A close contest
Close
Short.
To cut grass or hair close
Close
(archaic) Dense; solid; compact.
Close
(archaic) Concise; to the point.
Close reasoning
Close
(dated) Difficult to obtain.
Money is close.
Close
(dated) Parsimonious; stingy.
Close
Adhering strictly to a standard or original; exact.
A close translation; a close copy
Close
Accurate; careful; precise; also, attentive; undeviating; strict.
The patient was kept under close observation.
Close
Marked, evident.en
Close
Almost, but not quite (getting to an answer or goal); near
No, but you were close.
We were so close to winning!
Close
To stop, or fill up, as an opening; to shut; as, to close the eyes; to close a door.
Close
To bring together the parts of; to consolidate; as, to close the ranks of an army; - often used with up.
Close
To bring to an end or period; to conclude; to complete; to finish; to end; to consummate; as, to close a bargain; to close a course of instruction.
One frugal supper did our studies close.
Close
To come or gather around; to inclose; to encompass; to confine.
The depth closed me round about.
But now thou dost thyself immure and closeIn some one corner of a feeble heart.
Close
To come together; to unite or coalesce, as the parts of a wound, or parts separated.
What deep wounds ever closed without a scar?
Close
To end, terminate, or come to a period; as, the debate closed at six o'clock.
Close
To grapple; to engage in hand-to-hand fight.
They boldly closed in a hand-to-hand contest.
Close
The manner of shutting; the union of parts; junction.
The doors of plank were; their close exquisite.
Close
Conclusion; cessation; ending; end.
His long and troubled life was drawing to a close.
Close
A grapple in wrestling.
Close
The conclusion of a strain of music; cadence.
At every close she made, the attending throngReplied, and bore the burden of the song.
Close
An inclosed place; especially, a small field or piece of land surrounded by a wall, hedge, or fence of any kind; - specifically, the precinct of a cathedral or abbey.
Closes surrounded by the venerable abodes of deans and canons.
Close
A narrow passage leading from a street to a court, and the houses within.
Close
The interest which one may have in a piece of ground, even though it is not inclosed.
Close
Shut fast; closed; tight; as, a close box.
From a close bower this dainty music flowed.
Close
Narrow; confined; as, a close alley; close quarters.
Close
Oppressive; without motion or ventilation; causing a feeling of lassitude; - said of the air, weather, etc.
If the rooms be low-roofed, or full of windows and doors, the one maketh the air close, . . . and the other maketh it exceeding unequal.
Close
Strictly confined; carefully quarded; as, a close prisoner.
Close
Out of the way observation; secluded; secret; hidden.
"Her close intent."
Close
Disposed to keep secrets; secretive; reticent.
Close
Having the parts near each other; dense; solid; compact; as applied to bodies; viscous; tenacious; not volatile, as applied to liquids.
The golden globe being put into a press, . . . the water made itself way through the pores of that very close metal.
Close
Concise; to the point; as, close reasoning.
Close
Adjoining; near; either in space; time, or thought; - often followed by to.
Plant the spring crocuses close to a wall.
The thought of the Man of sorrows seemed a very close thing - not a faint hearsay.
Close
Short; as, to cut grass or hair close.
Close
Intimate; familiar; confidential.
League with you I seekAnd mutual amity, so strait, so close,That I with you must dwell, or you with me.
Close
Nearly equal; almost evenly balanced; as, a close vote.
Close
Difficult to obtain; as, money is close.
Close
Parsimonious; stingy.
Close
Adhering strictly to a standard or original; exact; strict; as, a close translation.
Close
Accurate; careful; precise; also, attentive; undeviating; strict; not wandering; as, a close observer.
Close
Uttered with a relatively contracted opening of the mouth, as certain sounds of e and o in French, Italian, and German; - opposed to open.
Close
In a close manner.
Close
Secretly; darkly.
A wondrous vision which did close implyThe course of all her fortune and posterity.
Close
The temporal end; the concluding time;
The stopping point of each round was signaled by a bell
The market was up at the finish
They were playing better at the close of the season
Close
The last section of a communication;
In conclusion I want to say...
Close
The concluding part of any performance
Close
Cease to operate or cause to cease operating;
The owners decided to move and to close the factory
My business closes every night at 8 P.M.
Close
Complete a business deal, negotiation, or an agreement;
We closed on the house on Friday
They closed the deal on the building
Close
Move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut;
Close the door
Shut the window
Close
Bar access to;
Due to the accident, the road had to be closed for several hours
Close
Finish or terminate (meetings, speeches, etc.);
The meeting was closed with a charge by the chairman of the board
Close
Draw near;
The probe closed with the space station
Close
Come to a close;
The concert closed with a nocturne by Chopin
Close
Become closed;
The windows closed with a loud bang
Close
Come together, as if in an embrace;
Her arms closed around her long lost relative
Close
Unite or bring into contact or bring together the edges of;
Close the circuit
Close a wound
Close
Bring together all the elements or parts of;
Management closed ranks
Close
Engage at close quarters;
Close with the enemy
Close
Be priced or listed when trading stops;
The stock market closed high this Friday
My new stocks closed at $59 last night
Close
Cause a window or an application to disappear on a computer desktop
Close
Change one's body stance so that the forward shoulder and foot are closer to the intended point of impact
Close
Fill or stop up;
Can you close the cracks with caulking?
Close
Finish a game in baseball by protecting a lead;
The relief pitcher closed with two runs in the second inning
Close
At or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other;
Close to noon
How close are we to town?
A close formation of ships
Close
Close in relevance or relationship;
A close family
We are all...in close sympathy with...
Close kin
A close resemblance
Close
Not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances;
Near neighbors
In the near future
They are near equals
His nearest approach to success
A very near thing
A near hit by the bomb
She was near tears
She was close to tears
Had a close call
Close
Rigorously attentive; strict and thorough;
Close supervision
Paid close attention
A close study
Kept a close watch on expenditures
Close
Marked by fidelity to an original;
A close translation
A faithful copy of the portrait
A faithful rendering of the observed facts
Close
(of a contest or contestants) evenly matched;
A close contest
A close election
A tight game
Close
Crowded;
Close quarters
Close
Lacking fresh air;
A dusty airless attic
The dreadfully close atmosphere
Hot and stuffy and the air was blue with smoke
Close
Of textiles;
A close weave
Smooth percale with a very tight weave
Close
Strictly confined or guarded;
Kept under close custody
Close
Confined to specific persons;
A close secret
Close
Fitting closely but comfortably;
A close fit
Close
Used of hair or haircuts;
A close military haircut
Close
Giving or spending with reluctance;
Our cheeseparing administration
Very close (or near) with his money
A penny-pinching miserly old man
Close
Inclined to secrecy or reticence about divulging information;
Although they knew her whereabouts her friends kept close about it
Close
Near in time or place or relationship;
As the wedding day drew near
Stood near the door
Don't shoot until they come near
Getting near to the true explanation
Her mother is always near
The end draws nigh
The bullet didn't come close
Don't get too close to the fire
Close
In an attentive manner;
He remained close on his guard
Close
Being of short distance or time.
The mall is close to my house.
Close
Denoting intimacy or strong emotional bond.
They are close friends.
Close
Nearly enclosed or surrounded.
The cat was close to being trapped.
Close
Shutting something or blocking an opening.
Please close the door.
Common Curiosities
Is "near" commonly used for emotional connections?
No, "near" is more often used for physical proximity.
Is "near miss" an oxymoron?
It may sound like one, but "near miss" means something just missed or barely avoided.
What prepositions are commonly used with "near"?
"Near" is often used with "to" (e.g., near to the station).
Can "near" imply something that almost happened?
Yes, like in "near disaster" or "near success."
Are "close" and "near" always interchangeable?
No, while they can both indicate proximity, their usage and connotations may differ.
Can "close" refer to emotional proximity?
Yes, like in "close friends" or "close relatives."
Is "close" more definitive than "near"?
Often, "close" implies a more immediate proximity than "near."
Is "close" related to shutting something?
Yes, as a verb, "close" means to shut or seal an opening.
Is "close" always about physical or emotional proximity?
No, "close" can also mean to end or conclude, like "close a deal."
If something is "close to completion," is it almost done?
Yes, it means it's nearing its finish.
Can "close" be used as a verb?
Yes, like in "close the door."
Does "close by" mean the same as "nearby"?
Yes, both indicate something in close proximity.
What's the difference between "near future" and "close future"?
Both imply upcoming events, but "near future" is more commonly used.
If something is "nearing," what does that mean?
It means it's approaching or getting close to a particular point.
Which word, "close" or "near," is more versatile in usage?
"Close" has more varied uses, from spatial to temporal and even as a verb.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
