close‧ly S3 W2 / kləʊsli $ kloʊs- / 副词

1 very carefully :

The detective watched him closely , waiting for a reply.

closely controlled/guarded/monitored etc

Political activity is closely controlled.

Details of the program are a closely-guarded secret .

2 to a very great degree :

I have been closely involved in the work of both committees.

The successful applicant will be working closely with our international staff.

a creature that closely resembles a red monkey

3 closely related/connected/associated etc if two or more things are closely related etc, there is a strong connection between them :

closely related subjects such as physics, chemistry, and maths

Her development as a writer is closely connected with her religion.

4 in a way that is close to other things in time or space :

lightning, followed closely by thunder

We were so closely packed in the elevator I could hardly move.