closely
/ˈkləʊsli
/adverb
1With little or no space or time in between: closely spaced homes the medical sergeant follows closely behind the squad...
- I alighted here, followed closely by Grandpa and Lizzie on their onion quest.
- He seated himself demurely with his legs drawn closely to one side, posing for the cameras as though for a fashion shoot.
- Most columns were closely spaced around one or more closed peripheries, and beams were made proportionately deeper.
1.1In a narrowly enclosed way: pens of closely confined fish
1.2In a way that involves only a small margin between the winner and loser: a closely fought contest
2In a way that involves a strong resemblance or connection: the students had to answer questions closely related to what they just learned the real-world injuries closely mirrored the university’s experimental data
2.1In a collective or unified way: we will be working closely with stakeholders the two companies collaborate closely...
- Working closely with school officials, they had already decided to try for an industrial, high-tech look.
- I believe he can be rehabilitated, and I would be willing to work closely with others in making this possible.
- A formal merger has taken place between two agencies that have closely cooperated on projects over the past three years.
2.2Very affectionately or intimately: he has bonded very closely with his Miami family both children are clearly very closely attached to their parents
3In a careful and attentive way: patients have to be watched closely for side effects...
- Management of alcohol withdrawal in elderly persons should be closely supervised by a healthcare professional.
- He closely oversees everything the company does.
- After closely looking at the exhibits, I came to the conclusion that the presence of feathers on pterosaurs is very much a matter of speculation.
3.1In a cautious or secretive way: a closely guarded plan