closely B1 Topic:Describing Qualities US /ˈkləʊsliː/ See IPA manual Freq #4388 Meanings 1 adv In a careful, attentive way. The doctor watched the patient closely for any change. 2 adv In a way that shows a strong connection or similarity. Finnish and Estonian are closely related languages. 3 adv Very near in space or time. The two events were closely timed. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 adv · in a careful, attentive way. tight 2 adv · in a way that shows a... nearly Appears in Phrases (1) See all closely knit strongly connected through close personal or social relationships Adverb + adjective Etymology AI details From close + -ly. Topics Describing Qualities External links Google Images Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary # closely **Type:** Word **Level:** B1 **Part of speech:** adv **IPA (US):** /ˈkləʊsliː/ **Frequency rank:** 4388 ## Meanings 1. In a careful, attentive way. 2. In a way that shows a strong connection or similarity. 3. Very near in space or time. ## Examples - The doctor watched the patient closely for any change. - Finnish and Estonian are closely related languages. - The two events were closely timed. ## Etymology From close + -ly. ## AI Etymology Closely is from close plus -ly. The suffix -ly recasts close as an adverb: the lexical idea remains recognizable, but the word now describes manner, degree, or circumstance rather than naming the quality by itself. In use as an adverb, closely denotes in a careful, attentive way, in a way that shows a strong connection or similarity, and very near in space or time. Typical contexts include “The doctor watched the patient closely for any change” and “Finnish and Estonian are closely related languages”. ## Topics - Describing Qualities markdown