shortly
shortly Lexical Profile
shortly Game Scores & Validity
• adverb
In a short time; soon; before long (or a short time before or after a specified event).
"The conference call will begin shortly, so please have your notes ready."
In a few words; briefly or concisely.
"To put it shortly, the committee decided to postpone the construction project until next spring."
In a brusque,sharp, or impatient manner; curtly.
"Exhausted from the long journey, he answered the reporter's questions shortly and walked inside."
Word Nuance & Usage
Unlike the adjective 'short', the adverb 'shortly' almost always refers to time ('in a short time; soon') or manner of speech ('curtly' or 'briefly'), and is never used to describe physical length or height.
• Rhymes for shortly
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'sceortlice', meaning 'in a brief time, soon, or briefly', formed from 'sceort' (short) and the adverbial suffix '-lice' (-ly).