closer

¹

[kloh-zer]

noun

1. a person or thing that closes.

   a door with a mechanical closer.

2. a person or thing that concludes.

   The piece would be a great closer for a concert.

3. Baseball.,  a relief pitcher brought in toward the end of the game to hold the team’s lead.

4. a person who brings something, especially a business deal, to a successful conclusion.

   a car salesman known as one of the best closers.

5. Also called closure. Masonry.,  any of various specially formed or cut bricks for spacing or filling gaps between regular bricks or courses of regular brickwork.

closer

²

[kloh-ser]

adjective

1. comparative of close.

Word History and Origins

Origin of closer¹

First recorded in 1600–1620; close, -er ¹

Example Sentences

"If we stayed closer to shore it would be safer, but to make a living we have to go farther out."

Read more on BBC

They finally seemed to be getting closer to the truth.

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A few passing cars slowed down so occupants could take a closer look at me.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

As Molina and Arregui grow closer, the boundaries between reality and fantasy begin to melt, and their formerly rigid perceptions collapse along with them.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The U.S. and Europe are also coming closer to a shared vision for how the war can end.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• climax 
• conclusion 
• denouement