adverb
-
immediately; at once
-
archaic urgently or insistently
Related Words
See immediately.
Etymology
Origin of instantly
Late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; instant, -ly
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.
Justin, the believer, is instantly alarmed by how these eerie tapes escalate from cute banter to ghostly crying babies and backward incantations.
From Los Angeles Times
I yank it off, and relief comes instantly.
From Literature
Blazy took over the legendary fashion house last year and has been keen to take his cue from Coco herself, with his latest collection showing individual flair while also being instantly recognisable as Chanel.
From BBC
At the same time, the relationship between stocks and oil has turned sharply negative, meaning higher oil prices almost instantly weigh on stocks.
From MarketWatch
In the wake of the 21-19 defeat, Jones reminded reporters that Darnold had carried the team all season in a moment that instantly went viral.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
