shortly

shortly — adverb

1. after only a short time; within a few moments from now

1.adverbB1
Definition

after only a short time; within a few moments from now

Example

The hospital will contact you shortly with the test results.

will + shortly for predicted future event

Kenji will start his new job at the design firm shortly.

Common collocations
  • shortly afterwards
  • arriving shortly
  • expected shortly
  • ending shortly
Synonyms
  • soon

    more common in everyday speech; less formal than 'shortly'

  • presently

    more formal and slightly old-fashioned; common in British English

  • before long

    phrase used in narrative or conversational tone, often in past-tense stories

Antonyms
  • much later

    indicates a long time afterward rather than soon

Grammar Patterns

will + shortly

be + shortly

shortly + after + [event]

Usage Note

Used especially in formal or written announcements. In everyday conversation, 'soon' is more common and sounds less formal.

Common Mistakes

I will return in short' (when meaning soon).
I will return shortly.
'in short' means 'to summarize', not 'soon'.
She told me the news short after I arrived.
She told me the news shortly after I arrived.
'shortly' is the adverb needed before 'after'; 'short' is an adjective.

2. happening very close to another time or event, either just after it or just befo

2.adverbB1
Definition

happening very close to another time or event, either just after it or just before it

Example

Samir called his mother shortly after the package arrived.

shortly after + [event]

Shortly before the concert began, the lights in the hall went out.

shortly before + [event] at sentence start

Common collocations
  • shortly after
  • shortly before
  • shortly afterwards
Synonyms
  • just

    'just after/before' is more informal and common in spoken English

  • a little while

    softer, more conversational phrase ('a little while after')

  • not long

    used with 'after'/'before' in a similar way ('not long after')

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

shortly after + [event/time]

shortly before + [event/time]

Shortly before [event], [main clause]

Usage Note

Often combined with 'after' or 'before' to show the time relationship between two events. In this sense, 'shortly' cannot stand alone — it needs the reference point that follows 'after' or 'before'.

Common Mistakes

I saw her shortly, and then she left.' (unclear reference)
I saw her shortly before she left.
the reference point ('before she left') is needed to make the meaning clear.

3. in a way that shows you are annoyed, impatient, or do not want to be friendly

3.adverbB2
Definition

in a way that shows you are annoyed, impatient, or do not want to be friendly

Example

I have nothing to say, the witness replied shortly and left the room.

reply shortly for abrupt speech

The receptionist answered the call very shortly, surprising the customer.

Common collocations
  • reply shortly
  • answer shortly
  • say shortly
  • respond shortly
Synonyms
  • curtly

    more direct synonym; specifically describes brief, rude speech

  • abruptly

    emphasizes the suddenness of the response rather than the rudeness

  • brusquely

    similar meaning; suggests a blunt, offhand manner

Antonyms
  • politely

    the opposite manner of speaking

  • warmly

    suggests friendliness rather than impatience

Grammar Patterns

reply/say/answer + shortly

speak + shortly

Usage Note

Typically used with verbs of speaking to indicate an unfriendly or impatient tone. The listener usually feels the speaker is being rude or dismissive.

Common Mistakes

She wrote the email shortly.' (ambiguous — could mean 'soon' or 'curtly').
She replied to the email shortly, giving one-word answers.
the context of speaking/responding clarifies the curt sense.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

Shortly and soon are the closest synonyms, both meaning 'in the near future.' Soon is more common in everyday spoken English ('I will be there soon') and feels less formal. Shortly appears more often in formal announcements and written English ('The new policy will take effect shortly'). Presently is more formal and slightly old-fashioned, especially in British English ('I shall return presently'). Before long and in a little while are phrase-based alternatives used in conversational storytelling: 'Before long, the rain stopped' sounds more natural in a narrative than in an official statement.

shortly ↗soon ↗presently ↗before longin a little while

Common collocations

Adverbs

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Shortly comes from Old English 'sceortlice,' meaning 'briefly' or 'in a short time.' It was formed from 'sceort' (short) and '-lice' (-ly). By the 1200s it already carried the meaning 'soon.' The sense of speaking in a curt, impatient way developed in the 1500s, moving from 'brief' to 'brusque' over time.