Table of Contents
Quick Overview
The fastest way to find the right sound for your writing.
The word close (when used as a verb) is pronounced with one syllable and features a long "o" sound followed by a voiced "z" consonant (/kloʊz/). To find a perfect rhyme, you need a word that matches this exact ending sound.
There are many common perfect rhymes like nose, rose, and chose. If you want to get creative, you can use near rhymes like gross or coast (which use an unvoiced /s/), or slant rhymes like clothes or know.
For multi-syllable phrase rhymes, combinations like heaven knows or as it goes match the ending beat perfectly, making them excellent for modern songwriting and internal rhymes.
Word Profile
A linguistic breakdown of the base word.
| Target Word | Close |
| Syllable Count | 1 (Close) |
| Stress Pattern | Single syllable stress (CLOSE) |
| Pronunciation (US) | /kloʊz/ (verb) or /kloʊs/ (adj) |
| Part of Speech | Verb / Adjective / Noun |
| Rhyming Difficulty | Low |
What Does Rhyming Mean?
A simple breakdown of how sounds match in English.
Rhyming occurs when the ending sounds of two or more words match perfectly. In American English, a true rhyme requires the final stressed vowel and all subsequent sounds to be identical.
1. The Vowel Sound
In the verb "close," the vowel sound is a long "o" (/oʊ/). This is the same sound you hear in words like "go" or "boat."
2. The Consonant Sound
After the long "o," the word ends with the voiced "z" (/z/) sound. Perfect rhymes must end in this exact same voiced sound, not an unvoiced /s/.
3. Spelling Doesn't Matter
Rhyme is about sound, not letters. "Nose" ends in "-se" while "toes" ends in "-es," but they rhyme perfectly with "close" because the sounds match.
70+ Rhyming Words Grid
A complete visual directory of 70+ rhyming words. Click any word to explore its definition.
Perfect Rhymes (Exact /oʊz/ Sound Match)
Multi-Syllable Perfect Rhymes
Near Rhymes (Unvoiced /s/ Ending)
Slant Rhymes (Vowel Match, Different Ending)
Phrases & Idioms for Songwriting
Top 30 Rhyme Deep Dives
Meanings, IPA pronunciations, poetry, lyrics, and writing tips for the 30 best rhyming words.
Nose
/noʊz/The part of the face projecting above the mouth, used for breathing and smelling.
Rose
/roʊz/A prickly shrub that typically bears red, pink, or white fragrant flowers.
Chose
/tʃoʊz/Past tense of choose; selected from a group of alternatives.
Froze
/froʊz/Past tense of freeze; turned into ice; stopped moving.
Pose
/poʊz/To assume a particular posture for a portrait or effect.
Toes
/toʊz/The digits at the end of the foot.
Goes
/ɡoʊz/Third person singular present of go; moves or proceeds.
Flows
/floʊz/Moves steadily and continuously in a stream.
Glows
/ɡloʊz/Emits a steady light; shines warmly.
Blows
/bloʊz/Wind moving; a sudden hard strike; past tense of blow.
Shows
/ʃoʊz/Displays or exhibits something; public performances.
Throws
/θroʊz/Propels something through the air with the hand.
Expose
/ɪkˈspoʊz/To make something visible or reveal a secret.
Suppose
/səˈpoʊz/To assume something to be true for the sake of argument.
Dispose
/dɪˈspoʊz/To get rid of or throw away; to arrange.
Repose
/rɪˈpoʊz/A state of rest, sleep, or tranquility.
Dose
/doʊs/A quantity of a medicine or drug taken at one time.
Gross
/ɡroʊs/Very rude or offensive; total amount before deductions.
Coast
/koʊst/The land next to the sea; to move easily without power.
Boast
/boʊst/To talk with excessive pride about one's achievements.
Toast
/toʊst/Sliced bread browned by heat; a celebratory drink.
Most
/moʊst/Greatest in amount or degree.
Ghost
/ɡoʊst/The spirit of a dead person believed to appear to the living.
Clothes
/kloʊðz/Items worn to cover the body.
Low
/loʊ/Below average in height, depth, or amount.
Slow
/sloʊ/Moving or operating at a low speed.
Grow
/ɡroʊ/To increase in size or develop naturally.
Know
/noʊ/To be aware of through observation or inquiry.
Heaven knows
/ˈhɛvən noʊz/An exclamation indicating that only God knows the answer.
As it goes
/æz ɪt ɡoʊz/A phrase meaning the way things naturally progress or happen.
30 Original Poetry Examples
Short, original poems created specifically for this article.
The window began to close,
I felt a breeze upon my nose.
Rhyme: Nose (Perfect)
The petals of the red, red rose,
Began to wither and then close.
Rhyme: Rose (Perfect)
The path he finally chose,
Led to a dead end and a close.
Rhyme: Chose (Perfect)
The lake had finally froze,
As winter began to close.
Rhyme: Froze (Perfect)
She held a delicate pose,
Until the photographer did close.
Rhyme: Pose (Perfect)
I stood and chilled my toes,
Watching the final window close.
Rhyme: Toes (Perfect)
The river gently goes,
Where the valley finally close.
Rhyme: Goes (Perfect)
The water smoothly flows,
Until the dam gates close.
Rhyme: Flows (Perfect)
The firelight softly glows,
Before the fireplace close.
Rhyme: Glows (Perfect)
The autumn wind still blows,
Before the winter close.
Rhyme: Blows (Perfect)
The magic of the shows,
Ends when the curtain close.
Rhyme: Shows (Perfect)
The pitcher firmly throws,
And then the inning close.
Rhyme: Throws (Perfect)
The truth they did expose,
Before the final chapter close.
Rhyme: Expose (Perfect)
I look at her and suppose,
That she will never close.
Rhyme: Suppose (Perfect)
The waste we must dispose,
Before the landfill close.
Rhyme: Dispose (Perfect)
He found a sweet repose,
When he let his weary eyes close.
Rhyme: Repose (Perfect)
He took a heavy dose,
And felt his heavy eyelids close.
Rhyme: Dose (Near)
The sight was utterly gross,
I had to turn away and close.
Rhyme: Gross (Near)
We drove along the coast,
Before the storm began to close.
Rhyme: Coast (Near)
He loved to loudly boast,
Until his rivals did close.
Rhyme: Boast (Near)
We raised a glass of toast,
Before the tavern had to close.
Rhyme: Toast (Near)
It mattered to him the most,
When the deal began to close.
Rhyme: Most (Near)
He vanished like a ghost,
Leaving the portal open, close.
Rhyme: Ghost (Near)
He folded up his clothes,
Before the drawer began to close.
Rhyme: Clothes (Slant)
The temperature was low,
As the winter season did close.
Rhyme: Low (Slant)
The ticking clock was slow,
As the meeting drew to close.
Rhyme: Slow (Slant)
The shadows began to grow,
As the valley starts to close.
Rhyme: Grow (Slant)
The secrets that we know,
We keep until the final close.
Rhyme: Know (Slant)
The pain that heaven knows,
Is when the final door close.
Rhyme: Heaven knows (Phrase)
The river gently flows,
That's just the way as it goes, then close.
Rhyme: As it goes (Phrase)
50 Example Sentences
See how rhymes function in original sentences across 3 contexts. The rhyming words are highlighted for easy learning.
Perfect & Phrase Rhymes
- The nose detected smoke before the window began to close.
- She smelled the rose right before the garden had to close.
- The path he chose led to a dead end and a close.
- The lake froze over as the winter season did close.
- The model held a pose until the studio began to close.
- He stubbed his toes rushing to the door before it would close.
- Wherever she goes, the door never seems to close.
- The river flows until the dam gates close.
- The fire glows softly before the fireplace begins to close.
- The wind blows coldly as the valley starts to close.
- The magic of the shows ends when the curtain does close.
- He throws the ball just as the inning begins to close.
- They expose the truth before the final chapter can close.
- I suppose we must wait until the store begins to close.
- We must dispose of the waste before the landfill does close.
- He found a sweet repose when he let his weary eyes close.
- Heaven knows I waited until the bar had to close.
- That's as it goes before the curtain finally does close.
- The secret that heaven knows is why the portal had to close.
- We watched the river flow, and that's just as it goes before the close.
Slant & Near Rhymes
- He took a heavy dose and felt his heavy eyelids close.
- The sight was utterly gross, so I had to turn away and close.
- We drove along the coast before the storm began to close.
- He loved to loudly boast until his rivals did close.
- We raised a glass of toast before the tavern had to close.
- It mattered to him the most when the deal began to close.
- He vanished like a ghost leaving the portal open, not close.
- He folded up his clothes before the drawer began to close.
- The temperature was low as the winter season did close.
- The ticking clock was slow as the meeting drew to close.
- The shadows began to grow as the valley starts to close.
- The secrets that we know we keep until the final close.
- The winter snow began to fall as the cabin doors did close.
- He took a deep breath though the air was growing close.
- The water was shallow, not deep, as the gates began to close.
- He felt hollow inside as the coffin lid did close.
- The dog began to bark as the gate began to close.
- The streets were dark as the night clubs began to close.
- She left a mark on his heart before the door did close.
- The fire cast a spark just before the flue did close.
Poetic Couplet Examples (End Rhymes)
- The window began to close, / I felt a breeze upon my nose.
- The petals of the red, red rose, / Began to wither and then close.
- The path he finally chose, / Led to a dead end and a close.
- The lake had finally froze, / As winter began to close.
- She held a delicate pose, / Until the photographer did close.
- I stood and chilled my toes, / Watching the final window close.
- The river gently goes, / Where the valley finally close.
- The water smoothly flows, / Until the dam gates close.
- The firelight softly glows, / Before the fireplace close.
- The autumn wind still blows, / Before the winter close.
30 Original Song Lyric Examples
Modern, catchy lyric lines demonstrating how to rhyme with close naturally.
"You turned up your nose, as the door began to close."
"I gave you a rose, right before the door close."
"The life I chose, before the curtain close."
"My heart froze, when you started to close."
"Strike a pose, before the studio close."
"I'm stepping on your toes, as the door begins to close."
"Wherever she goes, the door never close."
"The rhythm flows, until the show close."
"The city glows, as the night clubs close."
"The horn blows, as the highway close."
"The light shows, before the venue close."
"He throws the dice, before the casino close."
"I will expose your lies, before the door close."
"I suppose, you'll wait till the store close."
"Dispose the past, before the year close."
"In quiet repose, as the petals close."
"Give me another dose, before the pharmacy close."
"The behavior was gross, before the club did close."
"Riding the coast, before the border close."
"You love to boast, but your time is close."
"Let's make a toast, before the bar does close."
"I loved you the most, before the door did close."
"You haunt me like a ghost, when the coffin close."
"Take off your clothes, before the curtain close."
"Feeling low, as the store begins to close."
"Take it slow, before the chapter close."
"Our love will grow, before the year does close."
"I had to know, before the case did close."
"Heaven knows, I waited till the store did close."
"That's as it goes, before the curtain close."
25 Original Rap & Hip-Hop Rhyme Examples
Family-friendly, rhythm-heavy bars demonstrating multi-syllable and internal rhymes.
Step in the room and the door close,
Everybody standing on their toes,
Nose in the air like they knows,
Where the money goes, yeah, that's how it goes.
I chose this life, I didn't propose,
When the opportunity came I didn't freeze or froze,
I struck a pose, and let the camera close,
Now I'm the one who expose the truth, I suppose.
They trying to boast, but they sound like a ghost,
They take a bad dose, and completely lose it,
I'm riding the coast, yeah, I'm doing the most,
Before the curtain close, I'll be raising a toast.
The river flows, the city glows,
Everyone knows how the story goes,
I dispose of the fake, I put them in repose,
And heaven knows, I'm the one who close.
It's a gross feeling when the door close,
Wind blows, and the winter snow,
I'm feeling low, but I'm taking it slow,
I watch the show, and I let the curtain close.
I throw the dice, I pay the price,
I got the ice, that's cold as snow,
But I'm not a ghost, I'm doing the most,
I expose the truth before the close.
From head to toes, in designer clothes,
That's how it goes, when you're reaching the goal,
I suppose, the rivals will propose,
But I shut them down, yeah, I close.
I chose to be great, I didn't hesitate,
I opened the gate, I didn't wait for the close,
Now I'm on the coast, making a toast,
To the ones who know, and the ones who grows.
The light glows, the crowd grows,
I expose my soul before the close,
I dispose of the fear, I suppose it's clear,
That I'm the one who knows how to make 'em freeze and froze.
It's a gross world, but I wear it like a robe,
I strike a pose, and I dispose of the ghost,
I'm the host with the most, from the coast to the coast,
And I won't close, no, I won't close.
I know the way, I grow each day,
I flow like the river, I show 'em the way,
I throw the competition away, that's how I play,
Before the curtain close, I'm gonna have my say.
I propose a deal, I expose the fake,
I dispose of the hate, before it's too late,
I suppose it's fate, I repose in state,
And I close the gate, yeah, I close the gate.
The nose on your face is smelling the rose,
The money grows, and the wind blows,
I chose this path, I froze my past,
And I close the door on anything that goes.
From the coast to the coast, I'm doing the most,
I'm raising a toast, I'm not a ghost,
I expose the truth, I dispose the fake,
And I close the deal before the break.
I know it's gross, but I grow,
I flow like the river, I glow in the snow,
I suppose it's a gift, I propose a shift,
And I close the rift, I'm catching the drift.
The dose was too high, the ghost said goodbye,
The host took the stage, and the coast was dry,
I chose to fly, I froze the sky,
And I close my eyes, but I never die.
I throw the punch, I know the bunch,
I grow the crunch, I show the hunch,
I expose the fake, I dispose the snake,
And I close the gate, for heaven's sake.
The clothes I wear, the shows I share,
The flows I bear, the glows I glare,
I repose in peace, I suppose release,
And I close the lease, I'm the beast unleashed.
I boast the most, I coast the coast,
I'm raising a toast, I burn the toast,
I chose the road, I froze the cold,
And I close the fold, yeah, I break the mold.
I pose for the camera, I expose the drama,
I dispose the trauma, I suppose the karma,
I'm in repose, like a rose in the snow,
And I close the show, watch me go.
Heaven knows, I expose my soul,
I dispose of the hate, I'm in control,
I propose a toast, to the ghost of the past,
And I close the door, I'm free at last.
That's as it goes, that's how it flows,
That's what he knows, that's what he shows,
He chose the path, he froze the wrath,
And he close the chapter, he cleared the graph.
The gross and the ghost, the boast and the coast,
The dose and the most, the toast and the roast,
I expose 'em all, I dispose of the fall,
And I close the wall, I stand tall.
I grow my wealth, I know myself,
I flow in stealth, I show the wealth,
I suppose it's time, I propose the rhyme,
And I close the dime, I'm in my prime.
From the nose to the toes, in the clothes I chose,
The glows and the shows, the throws and the blows,
I expose the fake, I dispose the snake,
And I close the gate, for heaven's sake.
Everyday Usage
How native speakers use rhymes in casual, daily life.
In daily conversation, exact rhymes are rarely used unless telling a joke or quoting a song. However, slant rhymes and rhythmic matches are used constantly to make speech sound natural and flowing.
- "I need to close the window, the wind blows right on my nose."
- "Don't feel gross, we made it to the coast before the gates close."
- "I suppose we should dispose of this before the landfill close."
- "She struck a pose right before the studio did close."
- "Heaven knows I'll be there before the store does close."
Academic Usage
How to use rhymes in essays and research.
In academic writing, end rhymes are almost never used. However, rhythmic parallelism (using words with the same ending sounds or syllable structures) is a powerful rhetorical device for concluding paragraphs.
- "The researchers expose the data as the study draws to a close."
- "We must dispose of the chemical waste before the facility close."
- "The historical repose of the nation was broken when the borders did close."
- "One must suppose that the valve will close under pressure."
- "The chapter close with an analysis of the river as it flows."
Professional Usage
How to use rhymes in business and corporate settings.
In marketing and copywriting, slant rhymes and suffix matches are used to create memorable slogans and taglines. They make the language stick in the consumer's mind.
- "When the store close, the online shop goes on."
- "We expose the truth before the deal close."
- "Don't let your business freeze or froze, keep it open even when you close." (Slogan)
- "A rose by any other name still smells as sweet, even as the bud close."
- "We dispose of the competition before the market close."
Easy Rhymes
Simple one-syllable words for early readers.
For elementary school students just learning phonics, sticking to simple, one-syllable words that share the exact "-ose" sound is the best approach. These words are easy to spell, picture, and sound out.
Nose
Face feature
Rose
A flower
Toes
Foot digits
Goes
Moves
Chose
Picked
Dose
Medicine amount
Most
Greatest
Ghost
A spirit
Longer Rhymes
Multi-syllable words for advanced writing.
Using multi-syllable rhymes shows a high level of skill in writing. These words match the rhythm perfectly or add an extra beat, creating a cascading, satisfying rhythm.
Expose (2 syllables)
ex-pose. Great for revealing secrets or scandals.
Suppose (2 syllables)
sup-pose. Excellent for hypothetical scenarios.
Dispose (2 syllables)
dis-pose. Used for getting rid of things.
Heaven knows (3 syllables)
hea-ven knows. A powerful phrase for deep emotion.
As it goes (3 syllables)
as it goes. Perfect for acceptance or fatalism.
Wherever he goes (4 syllables)
wher-ev-er he goes. Great for themes of pursuit or loyalty.
Rhymes by Syllable
Categorized by beat count for rhythm matching.
Matching syllables helps maintain a steady meter in poetry and a steady beat in music. Here are rhymes broken down by their syllable count.
1-Syllable Perfect Rhymes
2-Syllable Perfect & Near Rhymes
3-Syllable & Phrase Rhymes
Common Mistakes
Avoid these frequent rhyming pitfalls.
Rhyming the verb "close" (/kloʊz/) with the adjective "close" (/kloʊs/).
✓ Recognize that the verb has a voiced "z" sound, while the adjective has an unvoiced "s" sound.
Explanation: Rhyming the verb form with the adjective form of the same word is considered a weak rhyme and misses the voiced consonant.
Tip: If you want a perfect rhyme for the verb, use "nose" or "rose" instead of the adjective "close."
Rhyming "close" with "loose."
✓ Use a word that ends in the /oʊz/ sound, like "nose."
Explanation: "Loose" ends in an /uːs/ sound, which completely clashes with the /oʊz/ sound of the verb "close."
Tip: Ensure the word has the long "o" sound to match "close."
Rhyming "close" with "closing."
✓ Use a single-syllable word like "rose" or a phrase like "heaven knows."
Explanation: "Closing" places the stress on the first syllable and adds an "-ing" sound. Rhyming a single syllable with a two-syllable word often sounds awkward.
Tip: Match the syllable count. Use "rose" instead of "closing."
Mispronouncing "close" to force a rhyme.
✓ Keep the standard American pronunciation /kloʊz/ (verb).
Explanation: Some might try to use the unvoiced /s/ adjective pronunciation to rhyme with "dose," which is a near rhyme but not a perfect one for the verb.
Tip: Let the rhyme fit the word, not the other way around.
Treating "gross" as a perfect rhyme for the verb.
✓ Understand that "gross" is a near rhyme.
Explanation: While "gross" shares the /oʊ/ vowel, it ends in an unvoiced /s/ instead of a voiced /z/. It is an excellent near rhyme, but not a perfect one.
Tip: Use "gross" for near rhymes, but use "nose" for exact matches.
Forgetting phrase rhymes entirely.
✓ Use phrase rhymes like "heaven knows" or "as it goes."
Explanation: Because "close" is a short word, perfect single-word rhymes can run out quickly. Phrase rhymes extend the rhythm and add flair.
Tip: Embrace phrase rhymes. Modern songwriting relies heavily on them.
Placing the rhyming word in the middle of the line awkwardly.
✓ Place "close" and its rhyme at the end of the line for maximum impact.
Explanation: End rhymes are the most recognizable. If you place "close" in the middle, the reader might miss the rhyme entirely.
Tip: Structure your sentence so "close" falls on the final beat.
Rhyming "close" with "class."
✓ Use "nose" or "chose."
Explanation: "Class" ends in an /æs/ sound, which completely clashes with the /oʊz/ sound of "close."
Tip: Focus on the long "o" and voiced "z". "Close" must rhyme with another /oʊz/ word.
Overusing "rose" because it's the easiest rhyme.
✓ Vary your rhymes using perfect (nose, chose) and near rhymes (coast, most).
Explanation: If every stanza rhymes "close" with "rose," the writing becomes repetitive and predictable.
Tip: Rotate between perfect, near, and phrase rhymes to keep the writing fresh.
Confusing "close" with "clothes."
✓ Understand that "clothes" (/kloʊðz/) is a slant rhyme, not a perfect rhyme.
Explanation: "Clothes" uses a /ð/ (th) sound before the /z/, breaking the perfect rhyme with "close."
Tip: Be aware of consonant clusters; "clothes" is only a slant rhyme.
Correct vs. Incorrect Examples
Contextual usage comparisons.
Incorrect
The close was a sweet rose.
Correct
She smelled the rose right before the garden had to close.
Incorrect
He felt close and chose.
Correct
The path he chose led to a dead end and a close.
Incorrect
The weather is close and froze.
Correct
The lake froze over as the winter season did close.
Incorrect
Her close voice was very pose.
Correct
The model held a pose until the studio began to close.
Incorrect
The close car was dose to drive.
Correct
He took a heavy dose and felt his heavy eyelids close.
Incorrect
I rhymed close with loose.
Correct
I rhymed close with nose.
Incorrect
The close tree was very gross.
Correct
The sight was utterly gross, so I had to turn away and close.
Incorrect
She was close, but her actions were dispose.
Correct
We must dispose of the waste before the landfill does close.
Incorrect
The close made me feel coast.
Correct
We drove along the coast before the storm began to close.
Incorrect
He wrote a close and nose poem.
Correct
He wrote a poem about a nose that began to close.
🎮 Mini Quiz
Test your knowledge with these interactive questions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions.
Does the verb 'close' have any perfect rhymes?
Yes, plenty. Common perfect rhymes include 'nose', 'rose', 'chose', 'froze', and 'goes'. They all share the exact /oʊz/ ending sound.
Why is 'gross' considered a near rhyme for 'close'?
'Gross' shares the same /oʊ/ vowel sound, but it ends in an unvoiced /s/ consonant. Because the verb 'close' ends in a voiced /z/, the sounds are similar but not identical, making it a near rhyme.
What is a slant rhyme, and can I use it for 'close'?
A slant rhyme shares similar but not identical sounds. Yes, you can use them for 'close'. Words like 'clothes', 'low', and 'slow' share the /oʊ/ vowel but lack the voiced /z/ ending, making them excellent slant rhymes.
Can I rhyme 'close' with the word 'loose'?
You can, but it is a visual rhyme, not a perfect rhyme. 'Loose' uses an /uːs/ sound, while 'close' uses an /oʊz/ sound. It works in written poetry but fails in spoken word or music.
Do 'close' and 'dose' rhyme perfectly?
Not exactly. They are near rhymes. 'Close' (verb) uses a voiced /z/, while 'dose' uses an unvoiced /s/. They share the /oʊ/ vowel, which makes them sound similar, but phonetically they are different.
What are the best words to rhyme with 'close' in a song?
In songwriting, vowel sounds and rhythm matter. Good choices include 'nose', 'rose', and 'goes'. For phrase rhymes, try 'heaven knows', 'as it goes', or 'wherever she goes'.
Is 'expose' a perfect rhyme for 'close'?
Yes. 'Expose' is a two-syllable word, but its final stressed syllable perfectly matches the /oʊz/ sound of 'close', making it a perfect multi-syllable rhyme.
What is an internal rhyme, and how does it apply to 'close'?
An internal rhyme is when a word in the middle of a line rhymes with a word at the end of the line. For example: 'He struck a pose before the door began to close.' Here, 'pose' and 'close' create an internal rhyme.
Can I change the pronunciation of 'close' to make it rhyme with 'dose'?
It is highly discouraged. Changing the verb's voiced /z/ to an unvoiced /s/ to force a perfect rhyme with 'dose' usually comes across as amateurish in American English. It is better to embrace near rhymes or use a perfect rhyme like 'nose'.
What is the difference between a near rhyme and a slant rhyme?
The terms are often used interchangeably. However, 'near rhyme' usually refers to words that share the same vowel but differ in consonant voicing (like close/dose), while 'slant rhyme' can also encompass words that share vowels but completely lack the ending consonant (like close/slow).
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