adv · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˈkləʊsliː/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:K L OW1 S L IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adv
Meaning 1
In a close manner.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Finnish and Estonian are closely related languages.
The borderline between East and West Berlin was very closely guarded.
The chairs are too closely spaced; could you move them apart?
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adv
Meaning 2
secretly; privately
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adverb
Meaning 3
in a close relation or position in time or space
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the onsets were closely timed
houses set closely together
was closely involved in monitoring daily progress
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adverb
Meaning 4
in a close manner
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the two phenomena are intimately connected
the person most nearly concerned
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: intimately, nearly
Antonyms: none provided
5
adverb
Meaning 5
in an attentive manner
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
he remained close on his guard
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: close, tight
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From close + -ly.
Across languages
Translations
27 source translations are retained for this English entry.
