promptly

adverb

prompt·​ly ˈpräm(p)t-lē 

ˈpräm-plē

1

: in a prompt manner : without delay : very quickly or immediately

I'm going to speak French again, something I learned in school and promptly forgot.

—Deanna Pai

Treatment is promptly resumed until the virus is suppressed again, and then stopped to see if the patient's immune system is able to keep the viral levels in check.

—Joan Stephenson

2

: exactly at a particular time or the correct time

She arrived promptly at 7:00 p.m. as we had agreed.

Synonyms

• immediately
• instantly
• now

Examples of promptly in a Sentence

shipped the package promptly so that it would arrive on time

Recent Examples on the Web

Her mold prevention tips include using dehumidifiers in high-humidity areas; keeping up with regular home cleaning; drying damp surfaces promptly; and monitoring vulnerable areas like HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) closets and basements. —Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025

He is promptly swept, his body spun by the man’s hand pulling him over a blocking foot. —Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025

The model walked with the designer’s pet Airedale, who promptly lunged at Stein’s poodle. —Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025

If local authorities issue an evacuation order, heed it promptly. —Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 18 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1