Close new Listener (4)

I believe the answer is:

near

'close' is the definition.
('near' can be a synonym of 'close')

'new listener' is the wordplay.
'new' becomes 'n'.
'listener' becomes 'ear' (I've seen this before).
'n'+'ear'='NEAR'

(Other definitions for near that I've seen before include "Tight-fisted" , "Parsimonious (informal)" , "Mean, close" , "Close - tight" , "Close at hand" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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