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.
Mazzei, a wealthy former state senator, publicly embraced the project shortly before Trump endorsed him.
From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026
To identify these changes, researchers studied nearly half a million brain cells collected from people with depression and control subjects shortly after each donor's death.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026
Prince Harry's resignation comes shortly after it was announced he was relocating with the Duchess of Sussex, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet from California to the UK.
From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026
San Diego police received a report of a missing man late Wednesday evening and found him dead in an office at 880 Front St. shortly after, according to department spokesperson Ashley Nicholes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
And maybe the dawns will be less harrowing in that country for which I shortly depart.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
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.
