Dice
 
 
 
 
 
Next post.
Previous post.

Clost

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "clost" is the regional way of saying "close," meaning near or nearby. It follows the same speech pattern as "acrosst," "oncet," and "twicet," where an extra "-t" sound slips in at the end.

#SouthernWords   #Appalachia   #OldTimers   #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...
Similar to acrosst - I could say 'clost,' or the fancy way without that 't' on the end. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Similar to acrosst - I could say 'clost,' or the fancy way without that 't' on the end. 

Pronunciation

[KLOHST]

Meaning & Usage

- Near or nearby (adjective/adverb)

Mae:
Where’s your brother live now?
Earl:
He’s just clost to the highway.

- Close in distance or relationship (adjective)

Mae:
We’re real clost - see each other ever’ day.
variations: close, near, nearby, not far, right there, real near, close by
★ "Clost" almost always refers to *nearness.* For shutting something (like "close the door"), folks usually keep the standard form "close." ★

Origin and Etymology

From Old English *clōs* (near, confined). In Appalachian and Southern speech, the final "s" sound often picked up a "-t," creating "clost," just like "acrosst" from "across."

Usage Notes

Common in Appalachia and parts of the South. Rare outside these regions, where "clost" is considered nonstandard or dialectal.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "klohst." Ends with a soft "-st" sound.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Is "clost" different from "close"?
No - it’s just the regional pronunciation of "close" when it means "near."
Do people outside Appalachia say it?
Rarely. It’s mostly Appalachian, with some Southern overlap.
Can you say "clost the door"?
Typically no - "clost" is for *nearby.* For shutting something, people usually say "close."

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 1). Clost. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/clost
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Clost." HillbillySlang.com, 1 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/clost.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Clost." HillbillySlang.com. September 1, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/clost.
advertisement...
Most Popular
Latest Accents
Latest Sayings
Latest Words
About
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
Slang, folklore, culture, and accent vary from place to place, even ridge to ridge - this is how I know it. Read the full disclaimer and terms of use • Privacy Policy
© Hillbilly Slang | Original audio and content not for reproduction or AI training without permission. Keeping the Mountains Talking 'Til The Cows Come Home