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.
He’s set to become a billionaire before long, no matter who wins the presidential election. Giacomo Tognini, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024 Kimmy towels off, changes into shorts and a long-sleeve shirt, and before long is bounding into the thickets on the south side of the lake, following an overgrown trail. Kate Siber, Outside Online, 24 Sep. 2024 Lane was too extraordinary a surgeon to be shrugged off as a crank, but before long reports of worryingly high mortality rates began to circulate and several damning exposés appeared in prominent medical journals. Elsa Richardson, TIME, 3 Oct. 2024 Metro Detroit will warm back up before long, returning to highs in the 70s Thursday, per the NWS. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 30 Sep. 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 23 Nov. 2024.

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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