instant

[in-stuhnt]

noun

1. an infinitesimal or very short space of time; a moment.

   They arrived not an instant too soon.

   Synonyms: trice, jiffy, flash, twinkling, second

2. the point of time now present or present with reference to some action or event.

3. a particular moment.

   at the instant of contact.

4. a food or beverage, especially coffee, specially processed for quick preparation.

5. Older Use.,  the present or current month.

adjective

1. succeeding without any interval of time; prompt; immediate.

   instant relief from a headache.

2. pressing or urgent.

   instant need.

3. noting a food or beverage requiring a minimal amount of time and effort to prepare, as by heating or the addition of milk or water, before being served or used.

   instant coffee; instant pudding.

4. occurring, done, or prepared with a minimal amount of time and effort; produced rapidly and with little preparation.

   an instant book; instant answers; instant history.

5. designed to act or produce results quickly or immediately.

   an instant lottery.

6. Older Use.,  of the present month: inst.

   your letter of the 12th instant.

7. present; current.

   the instant case before the court.

adverb

1. instantly.

instant

/ ˈɪnstənt /

noun

1. a very brief time; moment

2. a particular moment or point in time

   at the same instant

3. immediately; without delay

adjective

1. immediate; instantaneous

2. (esp of foods) prepared or designed for preparation with very little time and effort

   instant coffee

3. urgent or imperative

4. (postpositive)

   1. inst. of the present month Compare proximo ultimo

      a letter of the 7th instant

   2. currently under consideration

adverb

1. a poetic word for instantly

Word History and Origins

Origin of instant¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin instant- (stem of instāns ), present participle of instāre “to be present, urgent,” equivalent to in- in- ² + -stā- stand + -nt- present participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of instant¹

C15: from Latin instāns, from instāre to be present, press closely, from _in- ² + stāre to stand

Synonym Study

See minute ¹.

Example Sentences

She now buys instant coffee containing collagen and protein powder online to make at home, which she says makes her "feel fuller" than a regular coffee.

Read more on BBC

On one side were promises of instant transformation; on the other, eye rolls about hype and bubbles.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Plinski’s one-handed catch, something he has become known for, was another instant classic.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Then you smash a couple of packets of instant ramen and mix the bits into the dough with the contents of their seasoning packets.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But she’s got some questions for those that chase instant success, along with a convincing case for why staying in the middle might just be the real sweet spot.

Read more on Los Angeles Times