shortly

[shawrt-lee]

adverb

1. in a short time; soon.

2. briefly; concisely.

3. curtly; rudely.

shortly

/ ˈʃɔːtlɪ /

adverb

1. in a short time; soon

2. in a few words; briefly

3. in a curt or rude manner

Word History and Origins

Origin of shortly¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English schortly, Old English scortlīce; short, -ly

Example Sentences

On Tuesday, China said it was ready to "fight to the end" in a trade war with the United States, shortly before a new wave of US tariffs on wood products took effect.

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The last time the couple travelled to Northern Ireland together was in October 2022, shortly after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

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And shortly after that first referee blew his whistle to start his first match, the first argument erupted.

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The Fed lifted the asset cap in early June, shortly before the second quarter ended.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For months in 2024 — shortly after the onset of the deadliest and most destructive war between Israelis and Palestinians in history — college campuses in the U.S. convulsed in often confrontational protests.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• quickly 
• soon