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 of promptly

• 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

Every child deserves the support they are entitled to—delivered promptly and reliably. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026

When issues arise with court technology, judges have a responsibility to remain attentive to due process, ensure that parties are not prejudiced by system errors, and address concerns promptly when they are brought to the court’s attention. —Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026

Your holiday gifts have all been opened and promptly returned to the store. —Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026

America’s 2022 Olympic coach David Quinn promptly accepted the offer, grabbing forwards Ben Meyers and Matthew Knies, and defenseman Brock Faber for the squad that traveled to China. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1