shortly Meaning, Definition & Usage

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

AS. sceortlice.

In a short or brief time or manner; soon; quickly. Chaucer.
I shall grow jealous of you shortly. Shak.

The armies came shortly in view of each other. Clarendon.
In few words; briefly; abruptly; curtly; as, to express ideas more shortly in verse than in prose.