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
• compactly
• concisely
• crisply
• curtly
• elliptically
• laconically
• pithily
• succinctly
• summarily
• tersely

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

The report of a kayaker in distress near Willamette Falls came from a 911 caller shortly before 11 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, the sheriff’s office said. —Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025

The eastbound side from the tunnel to Silverthorne also closed Friday morning but reopened shortly before 7:20 a.m. Both directions of U.S. 6 east of Silverthorne remained closed as of 8:25 a.m. —Katie Langford, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2025

The Biden administration asked the Supreme Court to take the case to prevent a nationwide lawsuit, which the court agreed to do shortly before the new administration took office. —Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025

Three other fellow Proud Boys found guilty of seditious conspiracy were sentenced shortly before Tarrio to prison terms of 15 to 18 years. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 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