1 C1 neutral
To encircle or surround someone or something by forming a ring.
"The children closed round the injured bird, curious and protective."
inseparable
close round
C1 formal inseparable transitive
To form a circle or enclose something on all sides; used especially in literary or descriptive contexts.
In plain English
When people or things form a ring and completely surround something.
What does "close round" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 formal
Of hands or fingers: to grip or wrap tightly around something.
"Her fingers closed round the cold metal of the key as she stepped out into the dark."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To close ('close') in a circle ('round') something.
Actually means
When people or things form a ring and completely surround something.
Usage tip
Largely literary or formal register. More common in British English. Often used to describe hands closing around an object, or a crowd encircling a person. The American equivalent typically uses 'around' rather than 'round.'
Words that pair with "close round"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
hand crowd fingers water darkness group
How to conjugate "close round"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
close round
I/you/we/they
3rd person
closes round
he/she/it
Past simple
closed round
yesterday
Past participle
closed round
have + pp
-ing form
closing round
continuous
Hear "close round" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "close round" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.