different between closely vs narrowly

English

Etymology

close +? -ly

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?kl??sli?/

Adverb

closely (comparative closelier or more closely, superlative closeliest or most closely)

1. In a close manner.

   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?
2. (obsolete) secretly; privately

Translations

Anagrams

• colleys

English

Etymology

From Middle English narowly, equivalent to narrow +? -ly.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?n??o?li/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?næ???li/
• (Mary–marry–merry distinction) IPA^(key): /?næ?o?li/

Adverb

narrowly (comparative more narrowly, superlative most narrowly)

1. In a narrow manner; without flexibility or latitude.

   They regarded the new idea rather narrowly.
2. By a narrow margin; closely.

   They narrowly escaped collision.

   • 1859, George Meredith, The Ordeal of Richard Feverel, Chapter 13:

     One inconsequent dream he related, about fancying himself quite young and rich, and finding himself suddenly in a field cropping razors around him, when, just as he had, by steps dainty as those of a French dancing-master, reached the middle, he to his dismay beheld a path clear of the blood, thirsty steel-crop, which he might have taken at first had he looked narrowly; and there he was.

Translations