The word 'close' has two pronunciations

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The word 'close' can be pronounced with a /z/ or an /s/, depending on part of speech.

The word 'close' can be pronounced with a /z/ or an /s/, depending on part of speech.

 

The word 'close' is pronounced differently depending on if it's being used as a verb (use a /z/) or as an adjective or adverb (use an /s/.) Words that are spelled the same but pronounced differently are called heteronyms.

Note the following sentences:

  1. (verb) Please close the door. /kloʊz/
  2. (adjective) The window is close to the door. /kloʊs/
  3. (adverb) She is standing close to the door. /kloʊs/

Words that end in '-ose' are more likely to be pronounced with a /z/ than an /s/. Other examples with a /z/ pronunciation include:

  • pose
  • rose
  • nose
  • hose
  • those
  • expose

Another word ending in 'ose' that is pronounced with an /s/ is the word 'dose.'

You can practice more words ending in /z/ or ending in /s/ (or any other English sound) Pronuncian.