Closed Meaning
Closed Definition & Usage
Not open or accessible, either physically (e.g., a door or container) or metaphorically (e.g., an event or opportunity).
Examples
- "The store is closed on Sundays."
- "The gate was closed for maintenance."
- "She was closed off to new ideas during the meeting."
- "His mind remained closed to the concept of change."
- "The restaurant was closed for the holiday."
To shut something, like a door, window, or business, making it inaccessible or not functioning temporarily.
Examples
- "He closed the door softly so he wouldn't wake anyone."
- "After the meeting, she closed her laptop and left the office."
- "They closed the shop early due to bad weather."
- "The school will close for the summer next week."
- "The restaurant will close at midnight tonight."
Involving or being in a close relationship or proximity, either physically or emotionally.
Examples
- "They've always had a close relationship, even after all these years."
- "He stood close to her, offering his support."
- "The two teams are close competitors in the league."
- "We live close to the beach, so we can go swimming anytime."
- "She kept her friends close and her enemies closer."
Cultural Context
The word 'closed' has a long history in English, originating from the Old English 'closen'. Over time, its meaning expanded to encompass both physical closure (like doors) and metaphorical or emotional states, such as being closed off from others or from opportunities.
The Doors That Close and Open
Story
The Doors That Close and Open
Ella had always loved visiting her grandmother’s house in the small town. The little cottage, tucked away at the edge of a dense forest, was surrounded by tall fences, but the door was always open for her. When she arrived one weekend, she found the front door tightly closed, with a small, handwritten sign that read: 'Closed for the Season'. Ella felt a pang of disappointment; she had been looking forward to spending time with her grandmother, but this small closure was just a sign of the inevitable—the change in seasons, when her grandmother would spend most of her time resting indoors, preparing for winter. As she knocked gently, the door slowly creaked open. Her grandmother, with a smile as warm as the afternoon sun, greeted her. 'I’m closed for the day, dear,' she said, patting her seat beside the fireplace. 'But my door is always open for you.' The visit was filled with laughter and stories, as Ella learned that some doors may close, but there are always others that open up—whether it's the door to a new season, or the door to a new chapter in life. By the time Ella left, the door of the cottage was wide open, with her grandmother standing in the doorway, waving goodbye. In the weeks that followed, Ella realized that just as businesses may close temporarily, people sometimes need time to close one chapter of life before opening another. The concept of 'closed' was not just about absence, but also about the possibility of new beginnings that awaited once the door was opened again.
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