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

But shortly before the World Championships that year, Kayne was diagnosed with a stress fracture in her right knee, and the team was forced to pull out of Worlds. —Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 16 Feb. 2026

An oblique injury shortly before spring training last year, followed by a reaggravation, ultimately limited Assad to just eight big-league appearances (seven starts). —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026

The warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly, forecasters said, and that the threat of fire is high in those areas and people should be both alert and proactive. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026

The bar will open on March 1, with pizza service to follow shortly thereafter. —Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 16 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