closer
closer Lexical Profile
closer Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
More near in space, time, or relationship; at a shorter distance.
"The new train station is much closer to our apartment than the old one."
More intimate, affectionate, or familiar in a personal relationship.
"The two cousins grew closer after spending the summer working together."
More thorough, attentive, or detailed in observation or analysis.
"A closer examination of the financial records revealed several discrepancies."
• adverb
To a nearer position or shorter distance in space, time, or degree.
"The audience leaned closer to hear the speaker's quiet remarks."
• noun
North American In baseball, a relief pitcher who specializes in getting the final outs in the last innings of a narrow game to secure a victory.
"The manager called on the team's veteran closer in the ninth inning to protect the one-run lead."
A salesperson, negotiator, or executive who is particularly skilled at finalizing business deals or securing agreements.
"The firm brought in its top closer to finalize the contract with the new client."
The concluding song, act, or event of a performance, album, or series.
"The band saved their most famous anthem for the concert closer."
A mechanical device fitted to a door or gate that automatically shuts it after someone passes through.
"The maintenance crew adjusted the hydraulic closer so the heavy entrance door would not slam."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Closer' is a heteronym: as the comparative adjective and adverb meaning 'nearer', it is pronounced with a voiceless 's' (/ˈkloʊsər/); as the agent noun meaning 'one that closes or finishes', it is pronounced with a voiced 'z' (/ˈkloʊzər/).