shortly meaning

shortly as an adverb

1. for a short time
   • he was at the airport shortly before she was expected to arrive
2. 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

   Synonyms: soon, presently, before long

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

   Synonyms: curtly, short

   Related forms: short

4. 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

   Synonyms: concisely, briefly, in brief, in short

5. at a short distance
   • the hem fell shortly below her knees

How to pronounce shortly

shortly is pronounced /ˈʃɔːtli/ in British English and /ˈʃɔrtli/ in American English. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.

Words that rhyme with shortly

• portly
• courtly