short·ly/`ʃɔrtlɪ; ˈʃɔːtli/ adv 1 very soon 不久，很快: I expect him home shortly. 我想他很快就会回家。 shortly before/after (=a short time before or after) …之前/之后不久: The President left for Washington shortly before noon. 总统在正午前不久动身前往华盛顿。 2 speaking impatiently 〔说话〕不耐烦地: "Yes, yes, I understand," he said shortly. “好，好，我明白了。”他不耐烦地说道。