promptly
gb/pɹˈɑmptli/ us/pɹˈɑmptli/
B1
English
~ 9700
azonnal, haladéktalanul, mielőbb, pontban, pontosan
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to [verb] promptly
The company promised to investigate the complaint promptly.
A cég megígérte, hogy haladéktalanul kivizsgálja a panaszt.
Please reply promptly so we can finalize the booking.
Kérjük, válaszoljon mielőbb, hogy véglegesíteni tudjuk a foglalást.
If you pay promptly, you may receive a small discount.
The nurse acted promptly when she saw the patient struggling to breathe.
All emails from customers must be answered promptly.
Learner examples
She answered the email promptly.
Azonnal válaszolt az e-mailre.
The waiter brought our food promptly.
A pincér azonnal kihozta az ételünket.
If you call the doctor, he will see you promptly.
We must act promptly to fix this problem.
The bank will help you promptly if there is a card problem.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "soon" instead of "promptly". "Soon" means after a short time, but not necessarily immediately, while "promptly" means with no delay. For example, "Please reply soon" is weaker and less urgent than "Please reply promptly." Learners also sometimes put "promptly" in the wrong place in the sentence; it usually goes before or after the main verb ("promptly replied" or "replied promptly").
Meaning
without delay; quickly
Collocations
respond promptly
|reply promptly
|pay promptly
|act promptly
|deal promptly with [something]
|promptly remove
Synonyms
immediately (Slightly stronger and more common, especially in spoken English; often interchangeable with "promptly" in this sense.)
Antonyms
eventually (Describes something happening after a delay or after a long time, the opposite of acting without delay.)
Themes
daily life
|business
|communication
|time
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very quickly, with no wait or delay after something happens or is asked for.
Without delay or hesitation; very quickly after something happens or is requested.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[event] promptly at [time]
The interview will start promptly at 9:00 a.m., so please be on time.
Az interjú pontban reggel 9-kor kezdődik, ezért kérjük, legyen pontos.
The train left promptly at six, as scheduled.
A vonat a menetrend szerint pontban hatkor indult el.
Doors close promptly at midnight for security reasons.
The lecture begins promptly at ten, and late arrivals will not be admitted.
All sessions finish promptly so the next group can enter.
Learner examples
The movie starts promptly at seven.
A film pontban hétkor kezdődik.
Please arrive promptly at nine o'clock.
Kérjük, érkezzen pontosan kilenc órakor.
The class ends promptly at two.
The bus leaves promptly at six in the morning.
Our meeting will begin promptly at ten.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "promptly" here means "quickly" during the event, but it describes the timing of the start, not the speed of the action. Another mistake is to put "promptly" after the time ("at 7 promptly"), which is possible but less natural than "promptly at 7" or "starts promptly at 7."
Meaning
exactly at the stated time
Collocations
arrive promptly
|start promptly at [time]
|meeting begins promptly at [time]
|class will begin promptly at [time]
|payment is due promptly on [date]
Synonyms
punctually (Very close in meaning, but slightly more formal and less common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
late (Describes arriving or starting after the planned time, the opposite of doing something promptly in this punctual sense.)
Themes
business
|time
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
At the exact time that is said or planned, not late.
Exactly at the arranged or stated time, without being early or late.
Grammar
Dictionary form
promptly
IPA
GB/pɹˈɑmptli/
US/pɹˈɑmptli/
Syllables & stress
promptly (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (promptly)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: promptly
- Plural: promptlies
Word family
Forms
promptlies
noun
Core family
prompt
adjective B2
promptness
noun
Related words
prompting
noun
prompter
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unprompted
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.