promptly
Americanadverb
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at once or without delay.
Be sure to complete the form accurately and return it promptly.
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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.
It said there was a brief engine fire that was promptly extinguished by the Denver Fire Department.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026
Even though contracting hantavirus in the U.S. continues to be a rare event, El-Hasan said, people should take these initial symptoms seriously and promptly seek medical care.
From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026
The trial court then promptly canceled the trial on the case that had been scheduled to begin within days.
From Slate • May 4, 2026
She added that police arrived promptly and were "able to locate the individual" and secure the scene "pretty quickly".
From BBC • May 1, 2026
“Then I’ll stay here with you,” the other man replied, and he promptly sat down on his skateboard to Moss’s right.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
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.
