[soon] 
| 1. | within a short period after this or that time, event, etc.: We shall know soon after he calls. |
| 2. | before long; in the near future; at an early date: Let's leave soon. |
| 3. | promptly or quickly: He came as soon as he could. |
| 4. | readily or willingly: I would as soon walk as ride. |
| 5. | early in a period of time; before the time specified is much advanced: soon at night; soon in the evening. |
| 6. | Obsolete. immediately; at once; forthwith. |
| 7. | sooner or later, eventually: Sooner or later his luck will run out. |
| 8. | would sooner, to prefer to: I would sooner not go to their party. Compare rather (def. 8). |
| soon (sōōn) adv. soon·er, soon·est
[Middle English sone, from Old English sōna, 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. |