Soonest: meaning, definitions and examples

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soonest

 

[ ˈsuːnɪst ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

time reference

Soonest is used to indicate the earliest possible time that something can happen. It suggests urgency or a preference for a quick resolution.

Synonyms

earliest, quickest, soon.

Examples of usage

  • We need to finish this project soonest to meet the deadline.
  • Please let me know your decision soonest.
  • I will call you back soonest if I receive any updates.

Translations

Translations of the word "soonest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mais cedo

🇮🇳 जल्द से जल्द

🇩🇪 bald

🇮🇩 secepatnya

🇺🇦 найшвидше

🇵🇱 najwcześniej

🇯🇵 できるだけ早く

🇫🇷 le plus tôt

🇪🇸 lo más pronto posible

🇹🇷 en kısa sürede

🇰🇷 가장 빨리

🇸🇦 في أقرب وقت ممكن

🇨🇿 co nejdříve

🇸🇰 najskôr

🇨🇳 尽快

🇸🇮 najhitreje

🇮🇸 sem fyrst

🇰🇿 ең тез

🇬🇪 ყველაზე სწრაფად

🇦🇿 ən tez

🇲🇽 lo más pronto posible

Etymology

The word 'soonest' originated from the Old English 'sōna,' meaning 'at once' or 'immediately.' Its form evolved over the centuries, with 'soon' being a parent term used to express the concept of a short duration or time frame. The addition of the superlative suffix '-est' to 'soon' in Middle English created 'soonest,' which entered common parlance by the late 14th century. 'Soonest' captures the essence of not just proximity in time but also a sense of urgency, common in spoken and written English alike. Its usage has remained stable, reflecting the human desire for efficiency and promptness in responding to events.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,929, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.