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

With the Strait of Hormuz—the world’s biggest choke point for oil and gas flows—essentially shut down because of the violence, prices could surge much higher if oil flows haven’t resumed by the end of the week or shortly thereafter, energy analysts said. —Jordan Blum, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026

As a result, the upper stage ran out of propellant shortly before reaching its target deployment orbit, and the payload was lost. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 1 Mar. 2026

We will be joined shortly by Republican Mike Turner, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee. —CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026

Top Congressional Democrats and Republicans that make up a group known as the Gang of Eight — party leaders from both chambers, as well as the Intelligence committees' leadership — were notified by the White House shortly before the attack. —Sam Gringlas, NPR, 28 Feb. 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