shortly
gb/ʃˈɔɹtli/ us/ʃˈɔɹtli/
A2
English
~ 2300
Senses
0 senses
adverb
A2
relation
1
In a short time from now
Used to say something will happen soon.
Usage pattern:
[something] will happen shortly
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'shortly' with 'briefly'. 'Shortly' means 'soon', while 'briefly' means 'for a short time'.
Synonyms
soon (More common and slightly less formal in everyday conversation.)
|
presently (Can mean 'soon' in formal or literary contexts, but may also mean 'currently' in some dialects.)
Antonyms
later (Indicates a longer delay instead of a short wait.)
Collocations
arrive shortly
|begin shortly
|follow shortly
|resume shortly
|depart shortly
Themes
time
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The train will arrive shortly.
- The meeting will start shortly after lunch.
- Your order will be shipped shortly.
- They will be here shortly, so please get ready.
- We’ll begin the presentation shortly.
Learner examples
- The bus will come shortly.
- Dinner will be ready shortly.
- The movie will start shortly.
- He will call you shortly.
- We will leave shortly.
adverb
B2
property
2
In a curt or abrupt way
Speaking in a short and not friendly way.
Usage pattern:
[someone] speaks/replies shortly
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'briefly', which refers to time length rather than tone. 'Shortly' here describes manner and attitude.
Synonyms
curtly (More formal and often stronger in suggesting rudeness.)
|
abruptly (Focuses on suddenness as well as brevity of manner.)
Antonyms
politely (Shows respect and kindness instead of rudeness.)
Collocations
reply shortly
|answer shortly
|speak shortly
Themes
communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She replied shortly, clearly annoyed.
- He spoke shortly to end the conversation.
- 'No,' he said shortly, without explanation.
- The manager answered shortly and walked away.
- I was told shortly that the meeting was cancelled.
Learner examples
- She said 'no' shortly.
- He spoke shortly to me.
- The man answered shortly.
- She replied shortly when I asked her name.
- He told me shortly to go away.
Grammar
Dictionary form
shortly
IPA
GB/ʃˈɔɹtli/
US/ʃˈɔɹtli/
Syllables & stress
shortly (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (shortly)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: shortly
- Plural: shortlies
Word family
Expressions
coming shortly
1/kˈʌmɪŋ ʃˈɔɹtli/
fixed phrase
Arriving or happening soon
Happening or arriving very soon.
Examples
- The next train is coming shortly.
- A new update will be coming shortly to fix the issue.
end shortly
1/ˈɛnd ʃˈɔɹtli/
fixed phrase
To finish soon
To finish in a short time from now.
Examples
- The program will end shortly.
- This special offer ends shortly, so hurry!
shortly after
1/ʃˈɔɹtli ˈæftɚ/
fixed phrase
A little time after something else
A short time after another event happens.
Examples
- He arrived shortly after the meeting began.
- Shortly after lunch, they went for a walk.