Dynamic surface tensions (if short-chain alcohols at very short adsorption times were measured by using the maximum bubble pressure instrument MPT1 with a modified measuring cell, The experimental data are in very good agreement with results in the literature which were interpreted by a model based on adsorption barriers at short adsorption times and a diffusion-controlled mechanism at longer adsorption times, An approximate solution of a generalized diffusion model is derived which considers the effect of a nonequilibrium surface layer on dynamic surface tensions, This theory suggests that ail the studied short-chain alcohols adsorb diffusion-controlled even at short adsorption times and no adsorption barrier needs to he assumed, The nonequilibrium effects are significant only for surfactant concentrations c(o) > 5 . 10(-6) mol/cm(3) and at short adsorption times and can be completely neglected at lower concentrations.