Phrase guide

close shave

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A shave that is very short or near the skin.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He used a new razor blade for a good close shave.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A near accident or mishap; a dangerous or risky encounter or incident.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

Examples

  • I had a close shave with somebody who pulled out in front of me on the road, but I swerved and managed not to hit him.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

something achieved (or escaped) by a narrow margin

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: close call, squeak, squeaker, narrow escape

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: accomplishment, achievement

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: läheltä piti -tilanne — near accident or mishap
  • German: um ein Haar Davonkommen — near accident or mishap
  • Hungarian: (egy) hajszálon múlik/múlt/múlott — near accident or mishap
  • Hungarian: épp/éppen hogy/csak megússza/megúszta — near accident or mishap
  • Hungarian: meleg helyzet — near accident or mishap
  • Norwegian Bokmål: nestenulykke — near accident or mishap
  • Norwegian Bokmål: nære på — near accident or mishap
  • Polish: but see mało brakowało — near accident or mishap
  • Polish: było blisko — near accident or mishap
  • Polish: o mały włos — near accident or mishap
  • Slovak: o chlp — near accident or mishap
  • Spanish: escape por los pelos — near accident or mishap
  • Swedish: nära ögat — near accident or mishap