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 of shortly

• 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

The blaze, which broke out shortly before midnight Sunday, apparently spread rapidly across a ceiling lined with flammable decorative materials before reaching the main entrance. — ABC News, 13 July 2026

Getty Images/iStockphoto When someone dies, financial questions tend to surface shortly thereafter, even if the grieving process has just started. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Wu noted that the site's first facility is already in mass production, with the second expected to begin shortly. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 13 July 2026

Bumila desires to get a procedure done shortly to expedite the rehab process. — Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 12 July 2026

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