immediate
- 1Happening right away, with no waiting or delay.
Like a light that turns on the moment you flip the switch.
The medicine gave her immediate relief from the pain.
We need an immediate answer before the store closes.
Similarinstant, instantaneous, prompt, swift, quick
Oppositedelayed, gradual, eventual, slow
Note
- 2Very close in space or relationship, with nothing in between.
Like the seats right next to you, with no empty chair between.
The immediate area around the school was closed off.
She told only her immediate family about the news.
Similardirect, close, near, adjacent, nearest
Oppositedistant, remote, indirect
Note
- 3True in a way that is obvious right away and needs no proof.
Like seeing that two apples and two apples make four: you just know.
To him, the unfairness of the rule was immediate and beyond doubt.
Some facts feel immediate, true the moment you hear them.
Similarself-evident, obvious, evident, manifest, intuitive
Note
- 4Built right into the instruction itself, not stored somewhere else.
Like writing the price right on the tag instead of looking it up in a book.
The program loads an immediate value straight from the instruction.
Using an immediate number saves a trip to memory.
Note
- 5A label on a military message meaning it is urgent and must be handled fast.
Like stamping 'URGENT' on a letter so it gets opened first.
The operator flagged the message immediate and sent it ahead of the others.
Headquarters marked the order immediate, so the radio room handled it first.
Note
- 6In artillery, a word added to a fire request meaning the guns must fire at once.
Like shouting 'now!' so everyone acts without waiting.
The observer called for immediate suppression on the enemy position.
He requested immediate smoke to screen the advancing troops.
Note
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of immediate apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
It came from Old French immediat, from Late Latin immediatus, meaning "without anything in between." This goes back to Latin medius, meaning "middle."