Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Closeness · Close·ness · IPA /ˈkloʊs.nəs/ 01 n. The state of being close. 1. The state of being close. “Half stifled by the closeness of the room.” — Swift. “We rise not against the piercing judgment of Augustus, nor the extreme caution or closeness of Tiberius.” — Bacon. “An affectation of closeness and covetousness.” — Addison. Syn. Narrowness; oppressiveness; strictness; secrecy; compactness; conciseness; nearness; intimacy; tightness; stinginess; literalness.