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Can I use the word 'close' to mean "having an informal relationship with", for example in politics? As in

A businessman close to the president bought a state-owned steel mill at a fraction of its independently estimated value.

I thought I could, but then I looked it up in Lexico and now I'm not so sure.

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That is a correct use of the word "close". It suggests that the businessman is a friend of the President.

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  • "(of a person or relationship) on very affectionate or intimate terms" — do you think it accurately describes the intended meaning? Or is Lexico faulty in this case (it may definitely be)?
    – Sergey Zolotarev
    Commented Aug 24, 2020 at 0:46
  • intimate, but not "sexually intimate". Intimate can just mean "closely acquainted; familiar." It does describe the intended meaning.
    – James K
    Commented Aug 24, 2020 at 5:41

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