soon

[ soon ]

adverb

, soon·er, soon·est.

1. within a short period after this or that time, event, etc.:

   We shall know soon after he calls.

2. before long; in the near future; at an early date:

   Let's leave soon.

3. promptly or quickly:

   He came as soon as he could.

4. readily or willingly:

   I would as soon walk as ride.

5. early in a period of time; before the time specified is much advanced:

   soon at night; soon in the evening.

6. Obsolete. immediately; at once; forthwith.

soon

/ suːn /

adverb

1. in or after a short time; in a little while; before long

   the doctor will soon be here

2. as soon as
   as soon as at the very moment that

   she burst into tears as soon as she saw him

3. as soon…as
   as soon…as used to indicate that the second alternative mentioned is not preferable to the first

   I'd just as soon go by train as drive

Word History and Origins

Origin of soon¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English sōna; cognate with Old High German sān, Gothic suns

Word History and Origins

Origin of soon¹

Old English sōna; related to Old High German sāno, Gothic suns

Idioms and Phrases

see as soon as ; fool and his money are soon parted ; had rather (sooner) ; just as soon ; no sooner said than done ; speak too soon .

Example Sentences

We will soon see a wave of 2020 rosés on store shelves, so it’s important to remember that this fine example has an extra six months of age because it’s from South Africa, allowing the wine to settle and develop flavor.

From Washington Post

I wouldn’t be surprised if it begins to officially roll out to all searchers soon.

From Search Engine Land

After a few months away from the office, as it became clear that Covid wasn’t going away anytime soon, Hallmark got to work producing a line of cards specifically tuned to pandemic life.

From Vox

It will also urge you to invite those who aren’t and let you know as soon as someone in your contacts has joined so you can say hello to them.

From Vox

She soon left that employer, and now she’s been hired by mine.

From Washington Post

Why, some might be asking, am I being so harsh on their work so soon after they died?

From The Daily Beast

As soon as this attack [happened], Paris citizens came together to show were are not afraid, we are Charlie Hebdo.

From The Daily Beast

“I think it is important to say it is too soon to judge success or failure,” said Col. Steven Warren, a Pentagon spokesman.

From The Daily Beast

But the jokes flow at such a torrential pace that duds are soon forgotten; the best are even Spamalot-worthy.

From The Daily Beast

“We would just as soon stay away from a group that will create controversy,” the Cubs general manager Sam Bernabe told the paper.

From The Daily Beast

However, on reaching Spain, the magic of the Emperor's personality soon restored the vigour and prestige of the French arms.

From Project Gutenberg

Soon after they parted, with a sarcastic laugh from the Spaniard, and Ma'amselle mingled with the crowd.

From Project Gutenberg

Almost as soon as she had finished building her nest she had discovered a strange-looking egg there.

From Project Gutenberg

The volunteers and guerilla battalions were consequently disbanded, not a day too soon for the tranquillity of the city.

From Project Gutenberg

Crystals of urea nitrate or oxalate (Fig. 19) will soon appear and can be recognized with the microscope.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• directly
• early
• instantly
• promptly
• quickly
• rapidly
• shortly
• speedily