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; 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.
But shortly afterwards, Soumah said she was restricted from seeing her child unless she paid hefty medical bills.
From Barron's
After arriving at his new abode shortly after New Year’s 2022, he discovered the bliss of the bed.
Players from both sides were involved in a confrontation shortly after Villa's 2-1 win in the third round at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
From BBC
The Canadian-British actor was taken into custody after officers responded a call in Hollywood shortly after midnight.
From Barron's
His remarks come shortly after The Wall Street Journal reported that Merck is in talks to acquire Revolution Medicines in a deal valued around $30 billion.
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.
