soon

American  

[soon] / sun /

adverb

sooner, soonest

1. within a short period after this or that time, event, etc..

   We shall know soon after he calls.

2. before long; in the near future; at an early date.

   Let's leave soon.

3. promptly or quickly.

   He came as soon as he could.

4. readily or willingly.

   I would as soon walk as ride.

5. early in a period of time; before the time specified is much advanced.

   soon at night; soon in the evening.

6. Obsolete. immediately; at once; forthwith.

---

soon British  

/ suːn /

adverb

1. in or after a short time; in a little while; before long

   the doctor will soon be here

2. at the very moment that

   she burst into tears as soon as she saw him

3. used to indicate that the second alternative mentioned is not preferable to the first

   I'd just as soon go by train as drive

---

soon Idioms  

1. see as soon as; fool and his money are soon parted; had rather (sooner); just as soon; no sooner said than done; speak too soon.

---

Etymology

Origin of soon

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English sōna; cognate with Old High German sān, Gothic suns

Example Sentences

Recent price action also suggests that the market could soon be heading higher, Hirsch said.

From MarketWatch

Then, as soon as the playoffs started, those plans blew up right in their faces.

From The Wall Street Journal

On average, mosses now begin releasing spores about four weeks earlier than they did in 1990, and the peak of spore dispersal arrives roughly six weeks sooner.

From Science Daily

And she’s not likely to leave jail anytime soon.

From Los Angeles Times

"We will be receiving prosthetics and we hope to resume a normal life soon," Muhire, who is a patient at the centre, told AFP.

From Barron's

Related Words

• directly
• early
• instantly
• promptly
• quickly
• rapidly
• shortly
• speedily