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

Kane trimmed the deficit to one early in the third with a slick backhand, but Hanifin answered shortly thereafter to restore the two-goal cushion. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026

The two shared a kiss as Aladdin and Jasmine in an October 2021 sketch and began dating shortly thereafter. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

She was medically cleared and released from the hospital shortly afterward. — Brittany Miller , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Watson, who was busking in Byron Bay shortly before the song’s release, has won multiple ARIA Awards and remains one of the country’s most successful contemporary artists. — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 29 Sep. 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