close off
phrasal verb
closed off; closing off; closes off
: to not allow (something) to be used for a period of time : close
The city closed off the beach to tourists.
Half of the museum was closed off while they made the changes.
—sometimes used figurativelyHe closes himself off to new experiences.
Examples of close off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ventilation prevents moisture that can cause smelly mold, so make sure to keep the air circulating and open any rooms that are usually closed off.
—
Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
If the music sounds defensive or closed off, people stop listening to the lyrics.
—Matt Abrahams, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
Several streets that closed off in downtown Springfield have since reopened, officials said.
—Armando Garcia, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
The couple divvied up the open space into discreet zones and enlisted their daughter, Dorothy, a decorator, to close off the bedroom with library walls.
—Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for close off
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
If the music sounds defensive or closed off, people stop listening to the lyrics.
—Matt Abrahams, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
Several streets that closed off in downtown Springfield have since reopened, officials said.
—Armando Garcia, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
The couple divvied up the open space into discreet zones and enlisted their daughter, Dorothy, a decorator, to close off the bedroom with library walls.
—Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for close off
Cite this Entry
“Close off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/close%20off. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
