Definition of soon

exculpate Definition: (verb) to free from blame or guilt. Petersons.com

Add Word of the Day to your personalized My Yahoo! page: About My Yahoo! and RSS »

Email this page to a friend

< Soochow

sooner >

soon    (sn) KEY  

ADVERB:
soon·er , soon·est

1. In the near future; shortly.
2. Without hesitation; promptly: came as soon as possible.
3. Before the usual or appointed time; early.
4. With willingness; readily: I'd as soon leave right now.
5. Obsolete Immediately.

IDIOMS:
no sooner than

As soon as: No sooner was the frost off the ground than the work began.

sooner or later

At some time; eventually: Sooner or later you will have to face the facts.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English sone, from Old English sna, immediately, soon
Usage Note:
No sooner, as a comparative adverb, should be followed by than not when, as in these typical examples: No sooner had she come than the maid knocked. I had no sooner left than she called.

Visit our partner's site

	Provided by Houghton Mifflin eReference -- Download this interactive reference software to your desktop computer

Search Dictionary:

More on Yahoo! Education

• Online and On-Campus Degree Programs     MBAs  -  Technology Management  -  Education  -  Health  -  More  • College & Grad School - A Comprehensive Guide     College Search  -  Test Prep  -  Application Tips  -  Scholarship Search