closely
KLOHS-lee
Closely (adv) means In a careful, detailed, or near manner. Example: “The detective examined the letter closely for clues.”
adv
1
In a careful, detailed, or near manner.
"The detective examined the letter closely for clues."
"The two companies are closely linked through shared ownership."
"Watch closely, because I will only show you this card trick once."
How to use closely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWith care and attention, or with little distance/difference between things.
Common pairings
watch closely
closely related
work closely with
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Word forms
- Comparative
- closelier, more closely
- Superlative
- closeliest, most closely
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The detective examined the letter _____ for clues.
Etymology
From close plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for closely
See all rhymes for closely →Frequently asked questions
What does “closely” mean?
The word “closely” means in a careful, detailed, or near manner. In plain terms, with care and attention, or with little distance/difference between things.
How do you pronounce “closely”?
“Closely” is pronounced KLOHS-lee (/ˈkləʊsliː/ in IPA).
How do you use “closely” in a sentence?
Here is “closely” used in a sentence: “The detective examined the letter closely for clues.”
What part of speech is “closely”?
“Closely” is an adverb.
Is “closely” a common word?
“Closely” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What does it mean to look at something 'closely'?
It means to look with careful, detailed attention, noticing small things you might otherwise miss. Watching or examining something closely suggests concentration and thoroughness rather than a quick glance. In this sense 'closely' is about the quality of attention — how carefully you observe — as much as physical nearness.
What does 'closely related' mean?
It means two things are connected in a near or direct way. People who are closely related share a recent common ancestor, like siblings or cousins; ideas that are closely related share much in common. Here 'closely' points to a short distance in relationship or connection rather than careful attention.
What is the opposite of 'closely'?
It depends on the sense. Where 'closely' means attentively, the opposite is 'loosely' or 'casually' — a loose, inattentive approach. Where it means near, the opposite is 'distantly' or 'far apart.' You might watch a match closely or follow it only loosely; two people can be closely or distantly related.
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