sooner; soonest
1
: without undue time lapse : before long
soon after sunrise
2
: in a prompt manner : speedily
as soon as possible
the sooner the better
no sooner said than done
3
: in agreement with one's choice or preference : willingly
I'd just as soon walk as drive
4
archaic
: before the usual time
5
obsolete
: at once : immediately
Usage of Safe
Both "drive safe" and "drive safely" are acceptable. Flat adverbs, as adverbs without -ly are called, are common in English; examples include soon in "see you soon" and fast in "time goes so fast." Adverbial safe functions in the same way these do.
Examples of soon in a Sentence
We will soon be making changes.
The soonest I can get there is tomorrow.
When is the soonest possible date of delivery?
The audience soon realized that it wasn't a stunt.
She found a job soon after graduation.
How soon can you finish the job?
The sooner you finish your homework, the sooner you can go outside and play.
I will let you know as soon as possible.
I'll get there as soon as I can.
Recent Examples on the Web
After the Knicks had already demoralized the Sixers three times too many, there was still time on the clock for one more haymaker, one more seismic punch to put Philadelphia, already on the ropes far sooner than its fan base had anticipated, out for good.
—
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
Among them is Coco Noir, a wine shop and bar that will soon close its doors after three and a half years in business.
—Da Lin, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Rosetti plans to meet soon with refereeing officials from Europe’s main leagues to seek more clarity and consistency next season.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
In 2016, Swalwell became one of the first lawmakers to join Snapchat, an app where messages disappear soon after sending.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for soon
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Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
Among them is Coco Noir, a wine shop and bar that will soon close its doors after three and a half years in business.
—Da Lin, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Rosetti plans to meet soon with refereeing officials from Europe’s main leagues to seek more clarity and consistency next season.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
In 2016, Swalwell became one of the first lawmakers to join Snapchat, an app where messages disappear soon after sending.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for soon
Cite this Entry
“Soon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soon. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
soon
adverb
ˈsün 
especially New England ˈsu̇n
1
: before long : without delay
soon after sunrise
2
: in a speedy way
as soon as possible
3
archaic
: before the usual time
4
: by choice
would as soon do it now
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