► soonin a short time from now, or a short time after something else happens: It will be getting dark soon. I finished my business sooner than I expected.
► shortly formal soon: Davis made a confession shortly after his arrest.
► in the near future in the next few weeks or months: They promised to contact us again in the near future.
► before long fairly soon or in a short time: Before long, several of the children who had been sick were feeling better.
► in a moment (also in a minute/second informal) very soon, and within a few minutes from now: The reporter was back in a moment with her camera. I’ll be ready in a minute.
► any minute/moment/second now spoken very soon. Used when you do not know exactly when: The train should be here any minute now.
► presently old-fashioned in a short time: The doctor will see you presently.