close-up

1 of 2

noun

1
: a photograph or movie shot taken at close range
2
: an intimate view or examination of something

close-up

2 of 2

adverb or adjective

: at close range

Examples of close-up in a Sentence

Adverb or adjective come over here and get a close-up view of the painting
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
As his questioning crosses taboos and boundaries, raising Sister Barnes’ hackles, cinematographer Chung-hoon Chung’s camera, which has been cutting between various degrees of close-up as the conversation progresses, breaks free from stasis. Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2024 And by ending on a close-up of Janney, the balance of power has officially shifted. Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2024
Adverb or adjective
The first glimpse was a close-up shot of the tats, while the second showed the tattoo artist and Damon smiling post-ink session. Tracey Harrington McCoy, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2023 She’s introduced in motion and in close-up, during a hallway scuffle shot in a documentary-like style with handheld camera, available light and jumpy editing. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for close-up 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb Or Adjective

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of close-up was in 1913

Dictionary Entries Near close-up

Cite this Entry

“Close-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/close-up. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

close-up

noun
ˈklōs-ˌəp
: a photograph or movie shot taken at close range

More from Merriam-Webster on close-up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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