1. (adverb)closely in a close relation or position in time or space "the onsets were closely timed"; "houses set closely together"; "was closely involved in monitoring daily progress"
2. (adverb)close, closely, tight in an attentive manner "he remained close on his guard"
3. (adverb)closely, intimately, nearly in a close manner "the two phenomena are intimately connected"; "the person most nearly concerned"