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1.1Used to express surprise, and slight disapproval, when someone does something shortly after something else.
‘I won my appeal, but instead of reinstating me, they promptly sacked me again’
‘His on-off relationship with a famous actress results in the birth of a son whom Ellis promptly disowns.’
‘During his interview he certainly to put the snow job on the management team, and they promptly hired him as their head of development.’
‘The Central Java team member was stunned 7-5 in the preliminary round of the bantamweight competition and promptly blamed lethargy and injury for the exit.’
‘The veracity of this individual's account cannot be verified as he promptly disappeared.’
‘The euro opened with a value of $1.17, crept up to $1.19 on its first morning of trading, and promptly started its long march south.’
‘Anyway, I went into David Jones, and, looking like the neo-hippie that I am, they promptly ignored me.’
2At exactly a specified time; punctually.
‘Jamie arrived promptly at 8:30’
‘The following afternoon, promptly at four o'clock, the Earl of Denby appeared at the front door of the Earl of Matlock carrying a bouquet of wildflowers.’
‘Leaving his Eton Square flat promptly at 7am each day, he has every hour of his players ' days programmed to the last second.’
‘I said no and promptly closed the door.’
‘It came promptly at 6: 30 a.m.’
‘On makeover day, Sue was picked up promptly at 8: 30 a.m. by Don Curl of Mountview Dodge Chrysler Jeep.’
‘The store manager walked up the temporary stage promptly at 6 PM.’
‘The paper must go to press promptly at 3 o'clock.’