shortly

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   In a short or brief time or manner

   In a short or brief time or manner; quickly.

   • 1862, Mary Elizabeth Braddon, Lady Audley's Secret […] his two ill-conditioned, canine favorites, which sat shivering before the smoky little fire, barking shortly and sharply now and then, by way of hinting for some slight refreshment.
2. 2

   In or after a short time

   In or after a short time; soon.

   • The past perfect progressive is used for actions and situations which had continued up to a past moment or shortly before it.
   • No matter how early I came down, I would find him on the veranda, smoking cigarettes, or otherwise his man would be there with a message to say that his master would shortly join me if I would kindly wait.
3. 3

   In few words.

   • Ideas are generally expressed more shortly in verse than in prose
   • We shall not describe this tragical scene too fully; but we thought ourselves obliged, by that historic integrity which we profess, shortly to hint a matter which we would otherwise have been glad to have spared.
4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      In an irritable ("short") manner.

      • "Stop interrupting me, will ya?" she said shortly.
      • 'Well, I still think it was a rather off-hand way for you—for anyone—to behave,' he said shortly. Suddenly Melody felt trapped—and annoyed. And she didn't like being spoken to like a child, either.

The neighborhood