If something happens shortly after or before something else, it happens not long after or before it. If somethingis going to happen shortly, it is going to happen soon.
Their trial will shortly begin.
The work will be completed very shortly.
Shortly after moving into her apartment, she found a job. [+ after]
She kept a diary until shortly before her death.
Christine didn't answer, and shortly afterwards she left.
[Also + before]
Synonyms: soon, presently, before long, anon [archaic] More Synonyms of shortly
2. graded adverb [ADVERB after verb]
If you speak to someone shortly, you speak to them in a cross or impatient way.
'I don't know you,' he said shortly, 'and I'm in a hurry.'
Synonyms: curtly, sharply, abruptly, tartly More Synonyms of shortly
shortly in British English
(ˈʃɔːtlɪ)
adverb
1.
in a short time; soon
2.
in a few words; briefly
3.
in a curt or rude manner
shortly in American English
(ˈʃɔrtli)
adverb
1.
in a few words; briefly
2.
in a short time; soon
3.
abruptly and rudely; curtly
Examples of 'shortly' in a sentence
shortly
The search for an office manager begins shortly.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Then my dad died shortly after the accident.
The Sun (2013)
He was rushed to hospital but died shortly after arriving.
The Sun (2012)
He was referred to a psychiatrist and will shortly begin a university course.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
His mother arrives shortly after the accident.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Shortly afterwards he died of cardiac arrest.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
But he suffered a fatal riding accident shortly afterwards.
The Sun (2011)
He was bundled out of the door shortly afterwards.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Cops gave him first aid but he died shortly afterwards.
The Sun (2008)
Keep a diary and make a note of what has been happening shortly before or after the pains occur.
Vera Peiffer POSITIVE THINKING: Everything you have always known about positive thinking but wereafraid to put into practice (2001)
Detailed due diligence is expected to begin shortly and a winner could come as early as the end of this month.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The incident happened shortly after midday.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He died in hospital shortly after.
The Sun (2012)
He died in exile shortly afterwards.
Martin Manser COLLINS DICTIONARY OF SAINTS (2004)
Turner is speaking shortly before leaving for America on one of his endless tours.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He plans to return to London shortly after speaking.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The incident happened shortly after 9am local time yesterday.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Air traffic controllers picked up distress signals from the airliner shortly after it crossed into Greek airspace yesterday afternoon.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The bidding process for leading matches from 2017 to 2019 begins shortly.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Shortly after the interval, the game burst into life during a three-goal blitz over the course of four minutes.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The car overturned as it came off a slip road on the main M1 motorway through the centre of Johannesburg shortly after midnight.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
shortly
British English: shortly /ˈʃɔːtlɪ/ ADVERB
If something happens shortly after or before something else, it happens a short amount of time after or before it.
The telephone call came shortly before dinnertime.