before long

adverb

: in the near future : soon

Examples of before long in a Sentence

the painters ought to be done before long
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some tried Fire Road, an alternate evacuation route during emergencies, but before long that passage was surrounded by flames, residents said. Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 11 Jan. 2025 But when hundreds of millions of users are updating, even a very small percentage impacted is a large number of people—and those people can be vocal and can take to forums and social media to make their point, and that gets picked up and amplified, and before long there’s a perception issue. Zak Doffman, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024 Assuming partisan discord doesn't make these images a thing of the past, presidential photographers might need wider lenses on their cameras before long. Jim Sergent, USA TODAY, 30 Dec. 2024 Alana meets Derrick, the Chiefs' director of fan engagement, and before long, sparks begin to fly between the pair. Erin Clack, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for before long 

Word History

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of before long was in 1585

Dictionary Entries Near before long

Cite this Entry

“Before long.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/before%20long. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

before long

adverb
: in the near future : soon

More from Merriam-Webster on before long

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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