immediacy

American  

[ih-mee-dee-uh-see] / ɪˈmi di ə si /

noun

plural

immediacies

1. the state, condition, or quality of being immediate.

2. Often immediacies. an immediate need.

   the immediacies of everyday living.

3. Philosophy.

   1. immediate presence of an object of knowledge to the mind, without any distortions, inferences, or interpretations, and without involvement of any intermediate agencies.

   2. the direct content of the mind as distinguished from representation or cognition.

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Etymology

Origin of immediacy

First recorded in 1595–1605; immedi(ate) + -acy

Example Sentences

Closely cropped and dramatically lighted, the tight composition gives the familiar scene a new immediacy and intimacy, leavened by the playful interaction of the Christ child and St. John.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

When I hear the word potluck, I am transported, with a kind of olfactory immediacy, to the basement of my grandmother’s church.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026

Alternative statutory paths remain available to the administration, while none confer the same breadth or immediacy as IEEPA.

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026

“That sense of immediacy — and not imbuing something with outside signifiers of value — lets the fragile piece of paper speak for itself.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

Maybe it was the immediacy of the situation or maybe she was just too tired, but Blanca asked no questions.

From "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez

Related Words

• closeness