shortly
/ˈʃɔːtli
/adverb
1In a short time; soon: the new database will shortly be available for consultation the flight was hijacked shortly after takeoff...
- Details of these will be made available shortly before the summer launch.
- Again and again we saw those pictures of the television presenter shopping in London shortly before her death.
- I had tried a number of times to get back into writing shortly after the funeral but I soon gave up.
Synonyms
soon, directly, presently, quite soon, in a short time, in a short/little while, at any moment/minute/second, in a moment/minute/second, in less than no time (at all), in next to no time, before long, by and by;
North American momentarily;
South African just now
informal pretty soon, any time/day/minute/second/moment now, before one knows it, before one can say Jack Robinson, in a jiffy, in two shakes of a lamb's tail
British informal in a mo, sharpish
archaic or informal anon
literary ere long
2In a few words; briefly: they received a letter shortly outlining the proposals...
- The letter shortly, but strictly stated that her previous life and hopes were over.
- Householders in the Borris area will receive a letter shortly advising them of the offer.
2.1Abruptly, sharply, or curtly: ‘Do you like cricket?’ ‘I do not,’ she said shortly
Synonyms
curtly, sharply, abruptly, bluntly, brusquely, tersely, in an offhand manner, gruffly, ungraciously, gracelessly, surlily, snappily, testily, tartly, rudely, discourteously, uncivilly, impolitely
Origin
Old English scortlīce (see short, -ly2).