shortly

[ shawrt-lee ]

adverb

1. in a short time; soon.
2. briefly; concisely.
3. curtly; rudely.

shortly

/ ˈʃɔːtlɪ /

adverb

1. in a short time; soon
2. in a few words; briefly
3. in a curt or rude manner

Word History and Origins

Origin of shortly¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English schortly, Old English scortlīce; short, -ly

Example Sentences

Corado said she arrived on the scene and approached the two women shortly after the incident began.

From Washington Blade

Their about-face came shortly after the judge rejected their bid to dismiss the case over allegations of misconduct by federal agents.

From Fortune

He still visits the country most summers, and was there shortly before the coronavirus pandemic began.

From Ozy

The new program went live for residents of the Isle of Wight on Thursday, August 13, and will shortly become available for people living in the London borough of Newham, according to the UK’s health department.

From MIT Technology Review

Alibaba bought the paper in 2015, and brought its paywall down shortly after.

From Digiday

Shortly after dawn, there was another outbreak of deadly force.

From The Daily Beast

“We broke off shortly after because we were more ambitious,” says Lean.

From The Daily Beast

Crain posted a cash bond of $102.50 apiece shortly before 1:30 P.M., and they returned to the Castle Hotel.

From The Daily Beast

Shortly after the base fell militants started tweeting photographs of MANPADS, both the Russian-made SA-16 and SA-18.

From The Daily Beast

Shortly thereafter, Facebook announced a similar initiative, although their plan calls for the use of drones instead of balloons.

From The Daily Beast

His lordship retired shortly to his study, Hetton and Mr. Haggard betook themselves to the billiard-room.

From Project Gutenberg

He returned shortly, to meet his mother standing in the doorway, with pale, affrighted face.

From Project Gutenberg

Shortly afterwards a few acceptances were reported, principally against securities.

From Project Gutenberg

Ten thousand of the best troops in Mexico entered Texas and were shortly to be followed by ten thousand more.

From Project Gutenberg

Shortly after she came to her lesson limping, and remarked that she felt very uncomfortable.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• quickly
• soon