Closest — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb /ˈklōs/

Meaning & Definition of Closest

Closest (adjective)

  1. being near in time, space, effect, or degree
  2. intimate, familiar
  3. strict, rigorous

Closest (adverb)

  1. in a close position or manner

Closest (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in close, nearby

    similar: approximate, close, immediate, near, nearby, nearest, next-door, nigh, abutting, adjacent, adjoining, bordering, conterminous, contiguous, flanking, flush, fringing, joining, juxtaposed, neighboring, skirting, touching, verging, attached, communicating, connected, connecting, interconnecting, joined, linked, united, bounding, circumjacent, embracing, encircling, enclosing, fencing, rimming, surrounding, marginal, peripheral, tangent, tangential, ambient, encompassing
    opposite: nonadjacent, noncontiguous, apart, detached, disconnected, discrete, free-standing, isolate, isolated, removed, separate, single, unattached, unconnected, unlinked, away, distant, far, faraway, far-off, farthest, remote, discontinuous, noncontinuous, broken up, disjoined, dissevered, dissociated, disunited, divided, divorced, parted, ramified, resolved, severed, split, sundered, uncoupled, unyoked

Related Entry: Close (adjective)

Close is a different word from Closest. The synonyms below are for close, not for closest.

  1. having little space between items or parts

    "the soldiers marched in close formation against the enemy"

    similar: compact, crowded, dense, jam-packed, packed, serried, thick, tight
    related: crammed, jammed, overcrowded, crushed, massed, pressed, squeezed, wall-to-wall, airtight, snug, compacted, compressed, condensed, congested, firm, hard, solid, impenetrable, impermeable, impervious
    opposite: airy, loose, open, uncrowded
    near: commodious, roomy, spacious

  2. not being distant in time, space, or significance

    "my birthday is close to Christmas"

    "a shopping mall that is very close to the highway"

    "these words are close synonyms"

    similar: close-up, immediate, near, nearby, neighboring, next-door, nigh, proximate, at hand, to hand
    related: abutting, adjacent, adjoining, bordering, contiguous, approaching, coming, forthcoming, oncoming, upcoming, accessible, convenient, handy, close-in, hand-to-hand
    opposite: away, deep, distant, far, faraway, far-off, remote
    near: divorced, removed, separated

  3. showing little difference in the standing of the competitors

    "the election results were so close that the votes had to be recounted"

    similar: down-to-the-wire, hairbreadth, narrow, neck and neck, nip and tuck, tight
    related: crowded

  4. closely acquainted

    "a small wedding ceremony that was limited to close friends"

    similar: bosom, buddy-buddy, chummy, especial, familiar, friendly, inseparable, intimate, inward, near, thick, tight
    related: clannish, close-knit, tight-knit, affable, boon, companionable, convivial, cordial, genial, gracious, hearty, gregarious, sociable, social, comfortable, cozy, easy, snug, amicable, neighborly, confidential, secretive, adoring, affectionate, dear, devoted, fond, loving, tender, tenderhearted, warm
    opposite: distant
    near: aloof, antisocial, cold, cool, detached, distant, frosty, remote, reserved, standoffish, unfriendly, unsociable, withdrawn

  5. given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge

    "she was as close as a stone when it came to talking about her love life"

    similar: closemouthed, dark, reticent, secretive, tight-mouthed, uncommunicative
    related: quiet, reserved, silent, taciturn, tight-lipped, discreet, prudent, clandestine, covert, furtive, hugger-mugger, secret, sneak, sneaky, stealthy, surreptitious, undercover, underhand, underhanded
    opposite: communicative, open
    near: candid, frank, honest, out-front, up-front, blunt, outspoken, tactless

  6. giving or sharing as little as possible

    "the kind of folks who are very close when charity calls"

    similar: cheap, chintzy, closefisted, mean, mingy, miserly, parsimonious, penny-pinching, penurious, pinching, pinchpenny, spare, sparing, stingy, stinting, tight, tightfisted, uncharitable, ungenerous
    related: careful, chary, conserving, economical, economizing, frugal, saving, scrimping, skimping, thrifty, acquisitive, avaricious, avid, coveting, covetous, desirous, grasping, greedy, hoggish, itchy, mercenary, rapacious, selfish, shabby, small, sordid, begrudging, envious, grudging, resentful, inhospitable
    opposite: bounteous, bountiful, charitable, freehanded, generous, liberal, munificent, openhanded, unsparing, unstinting
    near: altruistic, selfless, unselfish, extravagant, free, handsome, lavish, overgenerous, profuse, beneficent, benevolent, hospitable, humanitarian, philanthropic, compassionate, good-hearted, greathearted, kindly, magnanimous, openhearted, thriftless, unthrifty, dissipating, frittering, prodigal, profligate, spendthrift, splurging, squandering, wasteful, wasting

  7. lacking fresh air

    "a small room with an uncomfortably close atmosphere"

    similar: breathless, stifling, stuffy, suffocating
    related: airless, unventilated, fuggy, heavy, oppressive, thick
    opposite: airy, breezy, unstuffy
    near: bracing, brisk, invigorating, refreshed, refreshing, restorative, reviving, sweet, ventilated

  8. meeting the highest standard of accuracy

    "a close analysis of the box-office performance of action movies"

    similar: accurate, delicate, exact, fine, hairline, mathematical, pinpoint, precise, refined, rigorous, spot-on
    related: correct, right, strict, true, definite, definitive, nice, subtle, careful, fastidious, finical, finicky, meticulous
    opposite: coarse, imprecise, inaccurate, inexact, rough
    near: approximate, round, false, incorrect, untrue, wrong, careless, loose, indefinite, unclear, vague, doubtful, dubious, questionable, unreliable, untrustworthy

Related Entry: Close (adverb)

Close is a different word from Closest. The synonyms below are for close, not for closest.

  1. at, within, or to a short distance or time

    "the stranded passengers drew close for reassurance"

    similar: around, by, hard, in, near, nearby, nigh, at close quarters, at hand, on one's doorstep, within call
    related: hereabouts, hereaway (dialect), thereabouts, along, alongside, accessibly, conveniently, handily

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Closest

The most common words with a similar meaning to Closest:

approximate, close, immediate, near, nearby, nearest, next-door, nigh, abutting, adjacent, adjoining, bordering, conterminous, contiguous, flanking, flush, fringing, joining, juxtaposed, neighboring, skirting, touching, verging, attached, communicating, connected, connecting, interconnecting, joined, linked, united, bounding, circumjacent, embracing, encircling, enclosing, fencing, rimming, surrounding, marginal

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Closest

Words with the opposite meaning of Closest:

nonadjacent, noncontiguous, apart, detached, disconnected, discrete, free-standing, isolate, isolated, removed, separate, single, unattached, unconnected, unlinked, away, distant, far, faraway, far-off, farthest, remote, discontinuous, noncontinuous, broken up, disjoined, dissevered, dissociated, disunited, divided

Word Forms of Closest

Inflections: closer

Derived words: closely (adverb), closeness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Closest

Middle English clos, from Anglo-French, from Latin clausus, past participle of claudere see close:1

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Closest

What does "Closest" mean?

"Closest" means being near in time, space, effect, or degree. As an an adjective and an adverb, it is defined as: being near in time, space, effect, or degree.

What is another word for "Closest"?

Other words for "Closest" include approximate, close, immediate, near, nearby, nearest, next-door and nigh. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Closest" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Closest"?

There are 45 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Closest". Common alternatives include approximate, close, immediate, near, nearby, nearest, next-door, nigh, abutting and adjacent.

What is the opposite of "Closest"?

Antonyms of "Closest" include nonadjacent, noncontiguous, apart, detached, disconnected, discrete, free-standing and isolate.

Is "Closest" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Closest" can be used as an adjective and an adverb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Closest"?

"Closest" is pronounced /ˈklōs/.

What is the origin of the word "Closest"?

"Closest" comes from Middle English clos, from Anglo-French, from Latin clausus, past participle of claudere see close:1. First known use: 14th century.

What is another word for "Closest" meaning "as in close, nearby"?

When "Closest" (adjective) means as in close, nearby, synonyms include approximate, close, immediate, near, nearby and nearest. Opposites in this sense include nonadjacent, noncontiguous, apart and detached.