Shortly means soon or in a little while. When your teacher says “We'll start the test shortly,” she means it will begin in just a few minutes. When a doctor's office calls to say your appointment will begin shortly, you know you won't be waiting much longer.

The word suggests a brief waiting period, something measured in minutes rather than hours or days. If someone says “I'll be there shortly,” they're promising to arrive soon, not next week. A pilot might announce that the plane will be landing shortly, giving passengers a few minutes to prepare.

Shortly can also mean briefly or in few words, though this usage is less common. A speaker who answers a question shortly gives a quick, concise response without elaborating.

The key to shortly is that sense of nearness in time. When something will happen shortly, you can almost count down to it. It's close enough that you can stay ready and not start something new right before it happens.