What does soonish mean?
Soonish is an informal adverb meaning that something will happen in a relatively short time, or sooner than expected. It is especially useful when a speaker wants to indicate that an event is approaching without giving a definite time or making a firm promise. The word commonly appears in everyday conversation, such as saying that a reply should arrive soonish. Unlike soon, it can suggest a less exact or less certain timeframe, although the difference is subtle. It is not generally used in formal writing, legal documents, or precise schedules, where a specific time or date is preferable. Soonish is formed by combining soon with the suffix -ish, which gives many adjectives and adverbs a softened, approximate, or informal meaning.
adverbIn a relatively short time; sooner than expected or at least somewhat soon.
- In a relatively short time; sooner than expected or at least somewhat soon.
"The results will be available soonish, although there is still some processing to complete."
"We should hear from the team soonish."
"The application is ready soonish, but the final documents are still being checked."
Soonish is the useful, informal word for a deadline that is approaching without being exact enough to promise.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does soonish come from?
Soonish is a modern English formation combining soon with the suffix -ish. The suffix -ish has long been used in English to create words with approximate, reduced, or informal meanings, as in childish or reddish. In soonish, it softens the timing of soon and suggests something occurring relatively soon rather than at a precisely specified moment.
How soonish is actually used
Informal and conversational; it is less precise and usually less forceful than saying that something will happen soon.
Easily confused with soonish
Soon means at or within a short period of time, while soonish is less precise and suggests a time that is somewhat soon but not necessarily definite.