immediately
Americanadverb
-
without delay or intervention; at once; instantly
it happened immediately
-
very closely or directly
this immediately concerns you
-
near or close by
he's somewhere immediately in this area
conjunction
Synonym Usage
Immediately, instantly, directly, presently were once close synonyms, all denoting complete absence of delay or any lapse of time. Immediately and instantly still almost always have that sense and usually mean at once: He got up immediately. She responded instantly to the request. Directly is usually equivalent to soon, in a little while rather than at once: You go ahead, we'll join you directly. Presently changes sense according to the tense of the verb with which it is used. With a present tense verb it usually means now, at the present time: The author presently lives in San Francisco. She is presently working on a new novel. In some contexts, especially those involving a contrast between the present and the near future, presently can mean soon or in a little while: She is at the office now but will be home presently.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of immediately
A late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at immediate, -ly
Explanation
If you want it NOW, you want it immediately. Immediately means this minute, this moment, right away! Immediately is an adverb that usually applies to time, but can also mean next to, or nearby, as in, "The kids immediately to your right has red hair." It can also be used to talk about close, even direct, connections, as in, "Are you immediately involved in the push to get rid of the schools superintendent?" Despite the different uses, the meaning is similar. When you see immediately, think close, sudden, and now!
Vocabulary lists containing immediately
List 1
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List 6
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -ly
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
The problem would have been solved immediately in 2000.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
The identity of the suspect and his motive were not immediately clear.
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
A lawyer for Hajdini didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment; her attorneys categorically denied the previous allegations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
I peeked at him, immediately wishing I hadn’t.
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
