Closer vs closure

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Grammarist

Closer and closure are two words that are close in spelling and pronunciation, but have different meanings. Closer, pronounced with a “z” sound, is often confused with the word closure. We will examine the definitions of closer and closure, where these two words came from, and some examples of their use in sentences.

Closer, pronounced with a “z” sound, means someone or something that closes. A closer might be a latch or some other type of fastener on an object, or it may be a person who brings things to a close in a positive or negative way. In American baseball, a closer is a pitcher who is brought into a game at a late stage to clinch the win. In business, a closer is someone who seals a deal. In this case, a closer may be a salesman or an executive. The word closer is a noun formed from the verb to close, and has been in use since the 1500s. The word closer, pronounced with an “s” sound, is an adjective that means nearer to.

Closure is the act of closing something such as a roadway, a business, or an institution. Closure may refer to the capstone of an activity or an artistic work. Today, the word closure is often used to mean the resolution or acceptance of an emotional or emotionally traumatic experience. The word closure is derived from the Old French word closure, which means an enclosure or barrier. Remember, closer describes someone or something that closes, closure is the act of closing something.

Examples

“I know Kenley is our closer,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the team’s workout Tuesday. (The Los Angeles Times)

The sale brings the company closer to its 2019 debt-reduction target. (Barron’s)

The mayor, whose working relationship with Lewand dates back to the mid-1980s, called Lewand “the greatest deal closer that I’ve ever worked with.” (Craine’s Detroit)

An overnight closure of I-35W between downtown Minneapolis and the Crosstown was called off due to bad weather, MnDOT said. (The Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

However, where it excels is in giving the character of Jesse some closure. (The Guardian)

Many mourn the closure of the paper, none more than Lisa DeSisto, CEO/Masthead Maine, Publishers of the Journal Tribune. (The Journal Tribune)