instant

Pluralinstants

Formsinstants, instanting, instanted

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A very short piece of time, gone almost as soon as it starts.

   Like the quick flash of a camera: there and then gone.

   For an instant, she thought she had seen a ghost.

   The pain lasted only an instant before it faded.

   Similarmoment, second, flash, jiffy, twinkling

   Note
2. 2
   adjective

   Made to be ready to eat or drink very fast, with little work.

   Like a meal that is almost done before you start cooking.

   We made instant soup because we were in a hurry.

   Instant rice cooks in just a few minutes.

   Similarquick, ready-made, precooked

   Oppositefresh

3. 3
   adjective

   Happening right away, with no waiting.

   Like a light that turns on the moment you flip the switch.

   The app gives you instant access to all your photos.

   She got an instant reply to her message.

   Similarimmediate, instantaneous, present

   Oppositedelayed, gradual, slow

   Note
4. 4
   nouncountable

   A single, exact point in time.

   Like one single tick of a clock.

   At the instant the clock struck noon, the bells began to ring.

   Scientists recorded the exact instant of the explosion.

   Similarmoment, minute

   Note
5. 5
   adjective

   Lasting only a short moment and gone very quickly.

   Like a spark that flares up and dies in a second.

   Her smile was instant and gone before the photo was taken.

   The flash of lightning was instant but very bright.

   Similarbrief, short, momentary, fleeting, passing

   Oppositelasting, prolonged, enduring

6. 6
   noununcountable

   A drink or food, often coffee, that is ready to make very fast.

   We ran out of beans, so I made do with instant.

   She keeps a jar of instant in the office drawer.

7. 7
   nounabbreviationellipsis

   Short for instant camera. Use this when you mean the camera that prints a photo right away.

   She loaded film into her instant before the party.

   He bought a vintage instant at the flea market.

   Note
8. 8
   adjective

   Being the very case or matter now being dealt with.

   The judge focused only on the instant case.

   In the instant claim, both sides agreed on the facts.

   Similarpresent, current

   Note
9. 9
   adverbliterary

   Right away, at once.

   He rose instant at the sound of her voice.

   The candle went out instant in the cold wind.

   Similarimmediately, directly, forthwith

   Oppositelater, eventually

   Note

Showing meanings only. Show all 14