# soon

/ˈsun/ (US) · /sˈuːn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/soon
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. in a short time

adverb · CEFR A1

in a short time from now or after a specific event.

For teachers: within a short period of time after the present or after a previously mentioned point.

- The sun will set soon, so we should start walking back to the car.
- The researchers expect to publish their preliminary findings soon, provided the final round of data verification proceeds without any technical delays.

### 2. early

adverb · CEFR B2 · Dialect

at an early time or before the expected time.

For teachers: at an early point in time; often used in specific regional dialects to mean 'early in the day'.

- He woke up soon this morning to finish his chores before the heat.
- In certain rural communities, it is common to hear residents speak of rising soon to tend to the livestock before the sun is high.

### 3. willingly

adverb · CEFR B2

used with 'would' to show you prefer one thing over another.

For teachers: readily or willingly; almost exclusively used with the modal 'would' to express a preference.

- I would just as soon stay home as go to that loud party.
- The director admitted he would just as soon cancel the project entirely than see his original vision compromised by budget cuts.

Usage: Usually appears in the construction 'would just as soon'.

### 4. happening in a short time

adjective · CEFR B1

happening or coming in a short time.

For teachers: occurring or arriving within a short interval; typically used in the phrase 'soon to be'.

- The soon-to-be bride spent the morning at the flower shop.
- The soonest available appointment is next Tuesday, as the consultant is currently attending a conference abroad.

Usage: Often functions as a predicative adjective or part of a compound modifier.

## Examples

- The train should be here soon.
- We finished our dinner quickly because the movie was starting soon.
- Although the initial results were promising, the researchers cautioned that it was too soon to determine if the treatment would be effective in the long term.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.