shortly

adverb

short·​ly ˈshȯrt-lē 

1

a

: in a few words : briefly

b

: in an abrupt manner

2

a

: in a short time

we will be there shortly

b

: at a short interval

shortly after sunset

Synonyms

• briefly
• concisely
• in brief
• precisely

Examples of shortly in a Sentence

He left shortly after you did.

“I can't help you right now,” he said shortly.

Recent Examples on the Web

Residents at the Slate Apartment complex in Bellevue evacuated a 12-unit block shortly before 11 a.m. Saturday due to what Nashville Fire Department’s Aaron Haddix, the commander on scene, said was called in as an appliance fire. —Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 16 Aug. 2025

Life-threatening flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in creeks and streams, normally dry washes, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. —Staff Reports, AZCentral.com, 16 Aug. 2025

As officers were about to lob a second round, the man walked out and gave up shortly before 5 p.m. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025

Here is some historical data comparing the post-earnings performance of American International stock with that of peers that reported earnings shortly before American International. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing shortly

• shortly after

Rhymes for shortly

• courtly
• portly

Kids Definition

shortly

adverb

short·​ly ˈshȯrt-lē 

1

: in a few words : briefly

2

: in or within a short time : soon

will arrive shortly

shortly after sunset