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

Beere promptly assigned a deputy chief, Aaron Smith, to head the police internal affairs unit. —Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026

Like all soufflés, this chili version is served quickly and must be eaten promptly, as soufflés require a level of presence few other foods demand. —Claire Ballor staff Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 30 Jan. 2026

How to Refrigerate Cut Avocado Cut avocado needs to be promptly refrigerated to stay fresh. —Abigail Abesamis Demarest, Martha Stewart, 30 Jan. 2026

Legal experts also note that following instructions promptly, keeping hands visible, and avoiding sudden movements can help prevent misunderstandings during a tense situation. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1