soon
Americanadverb
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within a short period after this or that time, event, etc..
We shall know soon after he calls.
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before long; in the near future; at an early date.
Let's leave soon.
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promptly or quickly.
He came as soon as he could.
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readily or willingly.
I would as soon walk as ride.
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early in a period of time; before the time specified is much advanced.
soon at night; soon in the evening.
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Obsolete. immediately; at once; forthwith.
adverb
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in or after a short time; in a little while; before long
the doctor will soon be here
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at the very moment that
she burst into tears as soon as she saw him
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used to indicate that the second alternative mentioned is not preferable to the first
I'd just as soon go by train as drive
Etymology
Origin of soon
First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English sōna; cognate with Old High German sān, Gothic suns
Explanation
When someone says they'll be arriving soon, it means you won't have to wait much longer for them to show up because they will be there in the near future. The word soon is often used when there’s anticipation for something that’s about to happen. For example, “Dinner will be ready soon,” means it’ll be ready shortly. Soon can also add a sense of urgency to a request, as in “Please respond soon,” suggesting the need for a quick reply. In both cases, the word soon means that there shouldn't be a long wait.
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.
The stock’s torrid pace or the company’s usefulness to AI infrastructure doesn’t look like it’s slowing down anytime soon.
From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026
He soon sent for his wife and children, including his infant son Salvatore.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026
Based on the timing of their filings, they could launch IPOs as soon as August, but post-Labor Day is much likelier, according to people familiar with the matter.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 1, 2026
Artificial-intelligence infrastructure providers like CoreWeave and Nebius Group may soon face stiff competition from a new kid on the block: Meta Platforms.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026
An angular scrawl was all that was left of her beautiful curling signature, but it was soon recognized and loved all over Haarlem.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
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.
