Close - English meaning

verb

(of a building or an area of land) be next to or have a common boundary with.

Usage examples:

Gardens abutting great prescott street

adjective

Next to or adjoining something else.

Usage examples:

Adjacent rooms

adjective

Very near, or with nothing in between

Usage examples:

They work in adjacent buildings.

adjective

(of a building, room, or piece of land) next to or joined with.

Usage examples:

I was in an adjoining room and could hear voices

verb

Be next to and joined with (a building, room, or piece of land).

Usage examples:

The dining room adjoins a conservatory

verb

Break off (a meeting, legal case, or game) with the intention of resuming it later.

Usage examples:

The meeting was adjourned until december 4

verb

To rest or pause during a meeting or trial

Usage examples:

[ t ] they adjourned the meeting until after lunch., [ c ] there was a two-day adjournment in the t…

verb

To temporarily end a meeting or trial

Usage examples:

Adjourn for sth the meeting adjourned for lunch., adjourn a case/hearing/trial/inquest/meeting the …

adjective

Stuffy; not ventilated.

Usage examples:

A dusty, airless basement

adjective

Having little or no air from outside, and having no movement of air

Usage examples:

My hotel room was small, airless, and uncomfortable.

preposition

Moving in a constant direction on (a road, path, or any more or less horizontal surface).

Usage examples:

Soon we were driving along a narrow road

adverb

Moving in a constant direction on a road, path, or any more or less horizontal surface.

Usage examples:

He continued to plod along

verb

Come near or nearer to (someone or something) in distance or time.

Usage examples:

The train approached the main line

noun

A way of dealing with a situation or problem.

Usage examples:

We need a whole new approach to the job

verb

Move towards

adjective

Showing great care and perseverance.

Usage examples:

She was assiduous in pointing out every feature

adjective

Paying close attention to something.

Usage examples:

Never before had she had such an attentive audience

noun

A long rigid piece of wood, metal, or similar material, typically used as an obstruction, fastening, or weapon.

Usage examples:

An iron bar

verb

Fasten (something, especially a door or window) with a bar or bars.

Usage examples:

She bolted and barred the door

preposition

Except for.

Usage examples:

His kids were all gone now, bar one

noun

A bar that slides into a socket to fasten a door or window.

Usage examples:

He reached through the hole in the door and slid the bolt on the inside.

verb

Fasten (a door or window) with a bar that slides into a socket.

Usage examples:

All the doors were locked and bolted

verb

(of a horse or other animal) run away suddenly, typically from fear.

Usage examples:

The horses shied and bolted

adjective

Making sure of avoiding potential danger, mishap, or harm; cautious.

Usage examples:

I begged him to be more careful

phrasal verb

Learn belatedly; find out about something after it happened

phrasal verb

To reach someone or something by moving faster than the other person or thing

Usage examples:

She is really fast, and i couldn’t catch up with her., fig. we’re a young, growing company, and we’…

phrasal verb

To do something you did not have time to do earlier

Usage examples:

Catch up on sth we're trying to catch up on paperwork this week., catch up with sth sam drove strai…

noun

The fact or process of ending or being brought to an end.

Usage examples:

The cessation of hostilities

noun

The ending of a condition or the stopping of an activity

Usage examples:

[ c usually sing ] a cessation of violence

noun

The fact of something ending or stopping

Usage examples:

The company has now stopped trading and has announced the cessation of its business.

adjective

Tending to form clots; sticky.

Usage examples:

Claggy mud

adjective

Thick and sticky

Usage examples:

The soil in the garden was thick, claggy clay., the claggy weather in the west will clear to leave …

adjective

Unpleasantly damp and sticky or slimy to touch.

Usage examples:

His skin felt cold and clammy

adjective

Slightly wet and cool, in an unpleasant way

Usage examples:

Her forehead was hot, but her hands were clammy.

noun

The most intense, exciting, or important point of something; the culmination.

Usage examples:

She was nearing the climax of her speech

verb

Culminate in an exciting or impressive event; reach a climax.

Usage examples:

The day climaxed with a gala concert

noun

The most important or exciting part in the development of a story or situation, which usually happens near the end

Usage examples:

The novel built to a shattering climax, leaving me breathless., a late season hurricane on october …

verb

(of a structure) suddenly fall down or give way.

Usage examples:

The roof collapsed on top of me

noun

An instance of a structure falling down or giving way.

Usage examples:

The collapse of a railway bridge

verb

Break down, literally or metaphorically

noun

The action or process of completing or finishing something.

Usage examples:

Funds for the completion of the new building

noun

The final stage of arranging a loan, or of buying or selling a house, building, or piece of land

Usage examples:

The balance will be due on completion., on completion day, the legal ends are tied up, you collect …

adjective

Wholly directed to one thing; intense.

Usage examples:

A concentrated campaign

verb

Focus all one's attention on a particular object or activity.

Usage examples:

She couldn't concentrate on the film

adjective

Using a lot of effort to succeed at one particular thing

Usage examples:

The company is making a concentrated effort to broaden its market., concentrated orange juice

verb

Bring or come to an end.

Usage examples:

They conclude their study with these words

verb

To cause something to end, or to end

Usage examples:

[ t ] she concluded her remarks by thanking her supporters., [ i ] i’d like to conclude with a song…

verb

To have a particular opinion about something after thinking carefully about it

Usage examples:

Conclude that analysts concluded that borrowing costs were at or very near their peak., the study c…

noun

The end or finish of an event, process, or text.

Usage examples:

The conclusion of world war two

noun

A decision made after a lot of consideration

Usage examples:

Dr. gille couldn’t reach any conclusions based on the symptoms i described., [ + that clause ] we c…

noun

A decision or judgment that is made after careful thought

Usage examples:

The findings and conclusions of the report are simply guidelines, not rulings., reach/come to/draw …

adjective

Wishing to do one's work or duty well and thoroughly.

Usage examples:

A conscientious man, he took his duties very seriously

noun

An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by walls or buildings, typically one forming part of a castle or large house.

Usage examples:

The long thin office wings enclose two hermetic internal courtyards or patios.

noun

An area of flat ground outside and partly or completely surrounded by one or more buildings

Usage examples:

Entrance to the apartment building is through a central courtyard.

verb

(of a vehicle) collide violently with an obstacle or another vehicle.

Usage examples:

A racing car had crashed, wrecking a safety barrier

noun

A violent collision, typically of one vehicle with another or with an object.

Usage examples:

A car crash

adjective

Done rapidly or urgently and involving a concentrated effort.

Usage examples:

A crash course in italian

idiom

A street with only one way in or out

noun

A street or passage closed at one end.

Usage examples:

Even working waste collection vehicles could not negotiate many back streets and cul-de-sacs for fe…

noun

A street that is closed at one end

noun

The highest or climactic point of something, especially as attained after a long time.

Usage examples:

The deal marked the culmination of years of negotiation

noun

The point at which an event or series of events ends, having developed until it reaches this point

Usage examples:

Winning first prize was the culmination of years of practice and hard work., the book was a fitting…

abbreviation

(in genealogies) daughter.

Usage examples:

Henry m. georgina 1957, 1s 2d

contraction

Had.

Usage examples:

They'd already gone

noun

The fourth letter of the alphabet.

Usage examples:

Each half resembles a uppercase letter d, so the two parts of the cyclotron are known as dees.

noun

The final part of a play, film, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved.

Usage examples:

The film's denouement was unsatisfying and ambiguous

noun

The final part of a work of literature, after the climax (= the most important or exciting part)

adjective

Having many details or facts; showing attention to detail.

Usage examples:

More detailed information was needed

verb

Give full information about.

Usage examples:

The report details proposals to improve public transport

adjective

Giving a lot of information with many details

Usage examples:

Detailed description a witness gave a detailed description of the man.

adjective

Having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties.

Usage examples:

After diligent searching, he found a parcel

adjective

Careful and serious in your work, or done in a careful and determined way

Usage examples:

A diligent worker, they made diligent efforts to carry out their programs.

adjective

Extending or moving from one place to another without changing direction or stopping.

Usage examples:

There was no direct flight that day

adverb

With no one or nothing in between.

Usage examples:

They seem reluctant to deal with me direct

verb

Control the operations of; manage or govern.

Usage examples:

An economic elite directed the nation's affairs

verb

Cease from doing or providing (something), especially something that has been provided on a regular basis.

Usage examples:

The ferry service was discontinued by the proprietors

verb

(with reference to a solid) become or cause to become incorporated into a liquid so as to form a solution.

Usage examples:

Glucose dissolves easily in water

noun

An act or instance of moving gradually from one image or scene in a film to another.

Usage examples:

The alternatives to a cut are fades or dissolves

verb

To be absorbed or to cause a solid to be absorbed by a liquid, or of a liquid to absorb a solid

Usage examples:

[ t ] dissolve two teaspoons of yeast in warm water., [ t ] they decided to dissolve the partnership.

noun

An area that is surrounded by a barrier.

Usage examples:

A deer enclosure

noun

A final part of something, especially a period of time, an activity, or a story.

Usage examples:

The end of the year

verb

Come or bring to a final point; finish.

Usage examples:

When the war ended, policy changed

suffix

Denoting a person or thing to be treated in a specified way.

Usage examples:

Dividend

verb

Be unsuccessful in achieving one's goal.

Usage examples:

He failed in his attempt to secure election

noun

A mark which is not high enough to pass an examination or test.

Usage examples:

A fail grade

verb

Close or do up securely.

Usage examples:

The tunic was fastened with a row of gilt buttons

verb

To make or become firmly attached or closed

Usage examples:

[ i ] this skirt fastens at the back., [ t ] fasten your seatbelt.

noun

The last part of a piece of music, an entertainment, or a public event, especially when particularly dramatic or exciting.

Usage examples:

The finale of beethoven's ninth symphony

noun

The last part of something, esp. a musical or theater performance

Usage examples:

A grand finale

verb

Bring (a task or activity) to an end; complete.

Usage examples:

They were straining to finish the job

noun

An end or final part or stage of something.

Usage examples:

A bowl of raspberries was the perfect finish to the meal

verb

To come to an end

Usage examples:

[ i ] the meeting should finish at four o’clock., [ t ] if you’ll let me finish my sentence, i’ll e…

adjective

Directing a great deal of attention, interest, or activity towards a particular aim.

Usage examples:

Darren knows what he wants and he's very focused

verb

Adapt to the prevailing level of light and become able to see clearly.

Usage examples:

Try to focus on a stationary object

adjective

Giving a lot of attention, time, effort, etc. to one particular area of a business, and knowing exactly what you want to achieve

Usage examples:

The chief executive of the company attributes their success to focused marketing., a focused approa…

adjective

(of a room or atmosphere) warm, stuffy, or smoky.

Usage examples:

It was fuggy in the cabin

adjective

Having air that is not pure, especially because of smoke, heat, or having a lot of people in a small space

Usage examples:

Pubs have become a lot less fuggy since smoking was banned., the fuggy atmosphere seemed to stick i…

phrasal verb

Go under, "the raft sank and its occupants drowned"

phrasal verb

(of a business) to fail financially

Usage examples:

Nothing could be done to keep the bank from going under.

phrasal verb

If a company goes under, it becomes bankrupt

Usage examples:

The company will go under unless new financing can be put in place soon.

verb

Bring or come to an abrupt stop.

Usage examples:

There is growing pressure to halt the bloodshed

noun

A suspension of movement or activity, typically a temporary one.

Usage examples:

A halt in production

adjective

(of a person) having a physical disability.

Usage examples:

If a man were halt or hunch'd

adjective

Of great weight; difficult to lift or move.

Usage examples:

A heavy and bulky load

noun

A thing, such as a vehicle, that is large or heavy of its kind.

Usage examples:

Meanwhile, he is leading the charge at airport to beef up the runway and expand support facilities …

adverb

Heavily.

Usage examples:

Heavy-laden

adjective

Marked by a relatively high level of water vapour in the atmosphere.

Usage examples:

A hot and humid day

adjective

(of air and weather) containing extremely small drops of water in the air

Usage examples:

New york is very hot and humid in the summer.

adjective

Occurring or done at once; instant.

Usage examples:

The authorities took no immediate action

adjective

Happening or done without delay or very soon after something else

Usage examples:

She made an immediate impact when she arrived to coach the team., emotional outbursts followed in t…

noun

Intention or purpose.

Usage examples:

With alarm she realized his intent

adjective

Determined to do (something).

Usage examples:

The government was intent on achieving greater efficiency

adjective

Having or showing eagerness or enthusiasm.

Usage examples:

A keen gardener

verb

Wail in grief for a dead person.

Usage examples:

The body of johnny was taken by his own people who keened over him

noun

An irish funeral song accompanied by wailing in lamentation for the dead.

noun

A metal bar with a catch and lever used for fastening a door or gate.

Usage examples:

Lifting the latch, she pushed the gate open

verb

Fasten (a door or gate) with a latch.

Usage examples:

She latched the door carefully

noun

A fastening device for a door or gate

Usage examples:

[ t ] make sure the cabinet door is latched so the cat can’t get in.

verb

Make or become less; diminish.

Usage examples:

The years have lessened the gap in age between us

verb

To become or make something smaller in amount or degree

Usage examples:

[ t ] keeping your weight down can lessen the risk of heart disease.

verb

To make something smaller, less noticeable, etc., or to become smaller, less noticeable, etc.

Usage examples:

Corporate executives are keen to embrace "green technology" in order to lessen their dependence on …

noun

A mechanism for keeping a door, window, lid, or container fastened, typically operated by a key.

Usage examples:

The key turned firmly in the lock

verb

Fasten or secure (something) with a lock.

Usage examples:

She closed and locked her desk

noun

A piece of a person's hair that coils or hangs together.

Usage examples:

She pushed back a lock of hair

adjective

Done according to a systematic or established procedure.

Usage examples:

A methodical approach to the evaluation of computer systems

adjective

Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.

Usage examples:

The designs are hand-glazed with meticulous care

adjective

Giving or showing careful attention to every detail

Usage examples:

A meticulous housekeeper, meticulous research, she meticulously planned every decorating detail.

adjective

Very careful to consider every detail in a process

Usage examples:

Meticulous about sth she was meticulous about keeping her expense receipts properly filed., a combi…

noun

A period of time equal to sixty seconds or a sixtieth of an hour.

Usage examples:

We waited for twenty minutes

adjective

Extremely small.

Usage examples:

Minute particles

verb

Record (the proceedings of a meeting).

Usage examples:

The secretary shall minute the proceedings of each meeting

adjective

(of the weather) unpleasantly warm and humid.

Usage examples:

It was a hot, very muggy evening

adjective

(of weather) very warm and humid (= containing a lot of very small drops of water in the air)

adjective

Of small width in relation to length.

Usage examples:

He made his way down the narrow road

verb

Become or make less wide.

Usage examples:

The road narrowed and crossed an old bridge

noun

A narrow channel connecting two larger areas of water.

Usage examples:

There was a car ferry across the narrows of loch long

adverb

At or to a short distance away; nearby.

Usage examples:

A bomb exploded somewhere near

preposition

At or to a short distance away from (a place).

Usage examples:

The car park near the sawmill

adjective

Located a short distance away.

Usage examples:

A large house in the near distance

adjective

Next to or very near another place; adjacent.

Usage examples:

Neighbouring countries

verb

(of a place or object) be situated next to or very near (another).

Usage examples:

The square neighbours the old quarter of the town

adjective

Neighbouring places are next to or near each other

Usage examples:

Neighbouring countries/states, she married a man from the neighbouring village.

adjective

Inflicting harsh and authoritarian treatment.

Usage examples:

An oppressive dictatorship

adjective

Oppressive weather is hot, with a lot of wetness in the air.

noun

A detachable lock hanging by a pivoted hook on the object fastened.

Usage examples:

A padlock on the garden gate

verb

Secure with a padlock.

Usage examples:

His father had padlocked the gate

adjective

Done with or employing great care and thoroughness.

Usage examples:

Painstaking attention to detail

adjective

(esp. of work) very careful and needing a lot of attention

Usage examples:

It took many months of painstaking research, but he was now ready to write the book.

noun

A public square or marketplace, especially in an italian town.

Usage examples:

Here, folks stop to ‘take a coffee’ in one of the town's many piazzas, or public squares, as well a…

noun

Especially in italy, an open area with a hard surface in a town, especially where there is no traffic

verb

Discontinue a session of (a parliament or other legislative assembly) without dissolving it.

Usage examples:

James prorogued this parliament, never to call another one

verb

To stop the activities of a parliament for a period of time without dissolving it

Usage examples:

Parliament was prorogued when the premier resigned.

noun

A kind of long-handled fork used for gathering floating seaweed.

verb

To move something toward yourself, sometimes with great physical effort

Usage examples:

[ i ] could you help me move this bookcase over there? you pull and i’ll push., [ t ] alice lay dow…

verb

To stop providing something or take something away from someone or something

Usage examples:

A major partner has threatened to pull all sponsorship., the first step is to pull the advertising …

noun

A four-sided plane figure, especially a square or rectangle.

Usage examples:

You can make rectangles, octagons, septagons, or quadrangles… or you can make ovals as we did.

noun

A flat shape with four straight sides

Usage examples:

Squares and rectangles are forms of quadrangles.

noun

A small space created by building part of a wall further back from the rest.

Usage examples:

A table set into a recess

verb

Attach (a fitment) by setting it back into the wall or surface to which it is fixed.

Usage examples:

The lights are going to be recessed into the ceiling

noun

A period of time in which an organized activity such as study or work is temporarily stopped

Usage examples:

Congress returns from its august recess next week., after lunch, the kids have recess., he pointed …

noun

A firm decision to do or not to do something.

Usage examples:

She kept her resolution not to see anne any more

noun

The act of solving a problem or finding a way to improve a difficult situation

Usage examples:

[ c ] negotiators are working tirelessly for a swift resolution of this crisis., the chairing offic…

noun

A formal statement on which people in an organization vote, or the decision taken as a result of this vote

Usage examples:

Approve/adopt a resolution shareholders were asked to approve a resolution to create a special voti…

adjective

Extremely thorough and careful.

Usage examples:

The rigorous testing of consumer products

adjective

Severe or difficult, esp. because at a high level

Usage examples:

Rigorous standards of accuracy, the manhattan district attorney’s office had a pretty rigorous trai…

adjective

Detailed and careful

Usage examples:

I want rigorous financial analysis of the options., the selection process is extremely rigorous., a…

noun

A wide way leading from one place to another, especially one with a specially prepared surface which vehicles can use.

Usage examples:

A country road

noun

A route for traveling between places by vehicle, esp. one that has been specially surfaced and made flat

Usage examples:

[ c ] a gravel/dirt/paved road, [ u ] 82 mill road

adjective

(of a person or process) careful, thorough, and extremely attentive to details.

Usage examples:

The research has been carried out with scrupulous attention to detail

adjective

Thoroughly scrutinizing, especially in a disconcerting way.

Usage examples:

You have to ask yourselves some searching questions

verb

Try to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly.

Usage examples:

I searched among the rocks, but there was nothing

adjective

Intended to discover the hidden truth

Usage examples:

Fran stared hard, her searching gaze trying to get him to admit what he knew.

adjective

Fixed or fastened so as not to give way, become loose, or be lost.

Usage examples:

Check to ensure that all nuts and bolts are secure

verb

Fix or attach (something) firmly so that it cannot be moved or lost.

Usage examples:

Pins secure the handle to the main body

adjective

Free from risk and the threat of change for the worse

Usage examples:

A secure job, people want to feel secure economically., the museum has a large endowment, so its fu…

verb

Move (something) into position so as to block an opening; close.

Usage examples:

Shut the window, please

verb

Move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut

verb

Shut (a door, window, or lid) forcefully and loudly.

Usage examples:

He slams the door behind him as he leaves

noun

A loud bang caused by the forceful shutting of something such as a door.

Usage examples:

The door closed with a slam

verb

Close violently

adjective

Producing, filled with, or clouded with steam.

Usage examples:

A small steamy kitchen

adjective

Filled with steam

Usage examples:

By the time hannah finished her shower, the bathroom was all steamy.

adjective

Tending or designed to stick to things on contact.

Usage examples:

Sticky cakes and pastries

noun

A piece of paper with an adhesive strip on one side, used for leaving messages or reminders.

Usage examples:

Perfect pictures of sunny days, birthday parties and proms, of boyfriends, girlfriends and parents …

adjective

Difficult to deal with or solve

Usage examples:

A sticky situation, a sticky issue, you had better wash your sticky fingers.

adjective

(of heat, air, or a room) very hot and causing difficulties in breathing; suffocating.

Usage examples:

Stifling heat

verb

Make (someone) unable to breathe properly; suffocate.

Usage examples:

Those in the streets were stifled by the fumes

adjective

Extremely hot, with a lack of fresh air

Usage examples:

Summers in virginia have always had stifling humidity.

noun

A public road in a city, town, or village, typically with houses and buildings on one or both sides.

Usage examples:

The narrow, winding streets of edinburgh

noun

A road in a city or town, usually with buildings along one or both sides

Usage examples:

Our daughter lives across the street from us., look both ways when you cross the street., the stree…

noun

Used to refer to wall street

Usage examples:

The company has missed its profit forecasts and disappointed the street a number of times.

adjective

(of a place) lacking fresh air or ventilation.

Usage examples:

A stuffy, overcrowded office

adjective

Formal, boring, and not modern

Usage examples:

A stuffy, arrogant man, the office gets so stuffy in the afternoon.

adjective

Causing difficulty in breathing.

Usage examples:

The suffocating heat

verb

Die or cause to die from lack of air or inability to breathe.

Usage examples:

They suffocated in their sleep

adjective

Something that is suffocating makes you feel uncomfortably hot or unable to breathe

Usage examples:

I've got to open the window - it's suffocating in here!, suffocating smoke/fumes, the book tells th…

adjective

(of the air or weather) hot and humid.

Usage examples:

The sultry late summer weather had brought swarms of insects

adjective

(of weather) very hot and humid (= with air that contains very small drops of water)

Usage examples:

It was a sultry night, and i was walking home., a sultry dance

verb

Temporarily prevent from continuing or being in force or effect.

Usage examples:

Work on the dam was suspended

verb

Bar temporarily

verb

Bring to an end.

Usage examples:

He was advised to terminate the contract

verb

To end or stop, or to cause something to end or stop

Usage examples:

[ i ] trains that used to terminate in hoboken now run into new york., [ t ] it sounded like she wa…

verb

To end or to make something end

Usage examples:

The takeover talks terminated without agreement., how do i terminate my subscription?, terminate a …

noun

The action of terminating something or the fact of being terminated.

Usage examples:

The termination of a contract

noun

The act of ending something, or the end of something

Usage examples:

Executive directors are entitled to 12 months' notice of termination of their contracts., all benef…

adjective

Complete with regard to every detail; not superficial or partial.

Usage examples:

Planners need a thorough understanding of the subject

adjective

With nothing left out or omitted; complete

Usage examples:

The district attorney’s office conducted a thorough investigation., the doctor gave him a thorough …

adjective

(of a room or space) not provided with fresh air.

Usage examples:

Dark and unventilated cargo holds

adjective

If a space is unventilated, fresh air cannot enter and move around it

Usage examples:

The heat in the unventilated office soon became unbearable.

adjective

Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.

Usage examples:

The burglar was spotted by vigilant neighbours

adjective

Being very careful to notice things, esp. signs of danger

Usage examples:

Security personnel need to be more vigilant in checking bags and packages., the vigilance of a moth…

adjective

Watching someone or something closely; alert and vigilant.

Usage examples:

They attended dances under the watchful eye of their father

adjective

Giving careful attention so as to notice what is happening and be prepared for something that might happen

Usage examples:

If you invest heavily in the stock market, you have to stay watchful and be ready to move your mone…

idiom

Finally be or do something

idiom

Coil the spring of a device by turning a stem

phrasal verb

Make a clock or other device operate by turning a handle or key.

Usage examples:

He wound up the clock every saturday night