closely — English Dictionary

Adverb

1. In a close manner.

   Examples

   Finnish and Estonian are closely related languages.

   The borderline between East and West Berlin was very closely guarded.

   More examples (3)

   The chairs are too closely spaced; could you move them apart?

   Test large, cylindrical, early portion closely coiled and always completely involute, later and larger portion uncoiled[…]

   “King Homer” follows the story of King Kong closely, with Mr. Burns taking the freakishly over-sized King Homer from his native Africa, where he lives proud as a simian god, to the United States, where he is an initially impressive but ultimately rather limited Broadway attraction.

2. secretly; privately

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   That nought she did but wayle, and often steepe / Her dainty couch with tears which closely she did weepe.

Adverb

1. in a close relation or position in time or space

   Examples

   the onsets were closely timed

   houses set closely together

   More examples (1)

   was closely involved in monitoring daily progress

2. in an attentive manner

   Synonyms

   closetight

   Examples

   he remained close on his guard

3. in a close manner

   Synonyms

   intimatelynearly

   Examples

   the two phenomena are intimately connected

   the person most nearly concerned