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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 The two became roommates and, before long, a couple. Hazlitt, 4 Sep. 2024 Von Spakovsky said the Supreme Court could, before long, be presented with an opportunity to rein in special counsel appointments. Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 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 11 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

before long

adverb
: in the near future : soon

More from Merriam-Webster on before long

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!