promptly
Americanadverb
-
at once or without delay.
Be sure to complete the form accurately and return it promptly.
-
exactly on time; punctually.
The doors will shut promptly at 2 p.m., and no latecomers will be seated.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of promptly
Explanation
To do something promptly is to do it right away or in a timely fashion, avoiding any delays. When you receive an invitation, you might immediately check your calendar and promptly reply. Doing things promptly is the opposite of procrastinating or putting things off. Showing up promptly for meetings, dates, and other plans is courteous and polite. When the President responds promptly to a crisis, it's considered good leadership. If you delay too much, you lost the chance to do something promptly — this is a word for things that happen fast.
Vocabulary lists containing promptly
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
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"Of Mice and Men"
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Frindle
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Promptly after being elected, Trump appointed Navarro as his senior counselor for trade and manufacturing.
From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2025
Promptly trained on the galaxy, satellites soon revealed the origin of the flare at the center of the galaxy.
From Salon • May 10, 2022
Promptly after subbing in, Govan scored on a layup to grow the advantage to 59-51.
From Washington Post • Dec. 20, 2017
Promptly, Bones moves just enough distance for the fan to see the hole: "Proper move. I knew I liked that guy."
From Golf Digest • Jul. 17, 2016
Promptly ordered to Moscow, the sub commanders were reprimanded for “allowing” themselves to be detected by the Americans.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
