Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In the near future; soon: Refers to something happening after a short period of time.
   • In a concise or brief manner; in few words: Refers to speaking or writing using few words.
   • In a curt, abrupt, or brusque manner: Refers to speaking in a way that is rudely brief.

Usage and Examples

• Meaning: In the near future; soon:

  • The train will arrive shortly. (The train will arrive in a little while.)
  • The results will be announced shortly. (The results will be announced very soon.)

• Meaning: In a concise or brief manner:

  • He explained the rules shortly and clearly. (He explained the rules in a brief and clear way.)
  • To put it shortly, the project was a success. (To say it in a few words, the project was a success.)

• Meaning: In a curt or abrupt manner:

  • "Not now," she said shortly. (She said "Not now" in a brusque tone.)
  • He answered shortly, ending the conversation. (He answered curtly, which ended the conversation.)

Advanced Usage

• "Shortly after/before": Used to indicate a point in time very soon after or before another event.
  • She left shortly after you called. (She departed a very short time after you called.)
  • He had visited shortly before the accident. (He had visited just a little time before the accident.)

Variants and Related Words

• Short (adj): Of little length; not long. Can also describe a manner of speaking that is brief to the point of rudeness.
  • a short break (a brief pause)
  • a short reply (a curt answer)
• Shortness (n): The quality or state of being short.
• Shorten (v): To make or become shorter.

Synonyms

• Soon (adv): In or after a short time. (Closest synonym for the "future" meaning.)
• Briefly (adv): For a short time; in a concise way. (Closest synonym for the "concise" meaning.)
• Curtly (adv): In a rudely brief and abrupt manner. (Closest synonym for the "abrupt" meaning.)
• Presently (adv): Soon; after a short time. (Formal synonym for "soon".)

Related Phrases

• Put it shortly: To express something concisely.
  • To put it shortly, we need more funding. (To state it briefly, we require more money.)
• Shortly thereafter: Very soon after that time.
  • The meeting ended and, shortly thereafter, everyone left. (The meeting concluded and very soon after that, everyone departed.)

Adverb

1. at a short distance
   • the hem fell shortly below her knees
2. in a concise manner; in a few words
   • the history is summed up concisely in this book
   • she replied briefly
   • briefly, we have a problem
   • to put it shortly
3. in a curt, abrupt and discourteous manner
   • he told me curtly to get on with it
   • he talked short with everyone
   • he said shortly that he didn't like it
4. in the near future
   • the doctor will soon be here
   • the book will appear shortly
   • she will arrive presently
   • we should have news before long
5. for a short time
   • he was at the airport shortly before she was expected to arrive