adverb
-
in a short time; soon
-
in a few words; briefly
-
in a curt or rude manner
Etymology
Origin of shortly
First recorded before 900; Middle English schortly, Old English scortlīce; see short, -ly
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.
Shortly after the debate began, former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter chastised her fellow candidates for their unceasing attacks.
From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026
Shortly after the crash, Zhu Tao, aviation safety office director at the CAA told reporters that they did not have a clear assessment of the cause for the crash.
From BBC • May 5, 2026
Shortly after parliament enacted the infrastructure bill, red and white barriers began popping up across the capital, shutting down vital arteries.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026
Shortly after bidding the British royals goodbye at the White House, Trump posted that he was making the gesture "in Honor of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom."
From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026
Shortly after midday they reached the Marshes of Morva.
From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander
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.
