What is the meaning of shortly?

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

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APA	WordNet. (2010). shortly. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/shortly/definitions/1253266
Chicago	WordNet. 2010. "shortly" http://smartdefine.org/shortly/definitions/1253266 (accessed September 22, 2026).
Harvard	WordNet 2010, shortly, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/shortly/definitions/1253266>.
MLA	WordNet. "shortly" 23 October 2010. Web. 22 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/shortly/definitions/1253266>

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