closely

adverb

close·​ly

ˈklō-slē

sometimes -er/-est

: in a close position, state, manner, or relation:

a

: with close attention or scrutiny

now listen closely

ability to read closely

b

obsolete : secretly, covertly

c

: in close proximity

a closely built-up area

closely held to his desk

closely printed

d

: in a close state : tightly : in the hands of a few

closely held private companies

closely knit into the Soviet orbit

e

: in close conformity to a model

closely resembling our housefly

a coating most closely matching the cover

f

: in close relation : intimately

incidents in the book are quite closely connected

the two had worked closely during the war

made friends quickly but not closely

g

: accurately, minutely

indicating fairly closely the true conditions

questioned closely and at length

h

: strictly

a closely reasoned argument

closely controlled sources of supply

Word History

Etymology

close entry 4 + -ly

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Rhymes for closely

• morosely
• grossly