promptly
PROMPT-lee
Promptly (adv) means Without delay; quickly and immediately. Example: “She promptly apologized as soon as she realized her mistake.”
adv
1
Without delay; quickly and immediately.
"She promptly apologized as soon as she realized her mistake."
"The waiter promptly brought a cloth when I spilled my drink."
"If you call the helpline, they will promptly send an engineer."
2
At exactly the stated time.
"The sale will begin on January 28th, promptly at 9 a.m."
"The meeting will start promptly at nine o'clock."
"The coach leaves promptly at eight, so please do not be late."
"Dinner is served promptly at seven in this house."
How to use promptly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRight away, or exactly on time.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more promptly
- Superlative
- most promptly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ apologized as soon as she realized her mistake.
Etymology
From prompt plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “promptly” mean?
The word “promptly” means without delay; quickly and immediately. In plain terms, right away, or exactly on time.
How do you pronounce “promptly”?
“Promptly” is pronounced PROMPT-lee (/ˈpɹɑmptli/ in IPA).
How do you use “promptly” in a sentence?
Here is “promptly” used in a sentence: “She promptly apologized as soon as she realized her mistake.”
What is another word for “promptly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “promptly” include on line.
What part of speech is “promptly”?
“Promptly” is an adverb.
Is “promptly” a common word?
“Promptly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “promptly” have?
“Promptly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: without delay; quickly and immediately.
What is the difference between promptly and immediately?
Promptly and immediately both describe something happening without delay, but promptly can also mean at exactly the stated time, such as "the meeting starts promptly at 9am." Immediately doesn't carry that time-specific sense and simply means right away.
Is promptly formal or informal?
Promptly is neutral and works in both formal and informal writing, though it appears especially often in scheduling, business, and instructional contexts where precise timing matters.
What is the difference between promptly and punctually?
Promptly and punctually overlap when describing exact timing, as in arriving promptly or punctually at 9am. However, promptly can also describe speed of action generally, such as responding promptly to an email, a sense punctually does not carry.
