immediate

American  

[ih-mee-dee-it] / ɪˈmi di ɪt /

adjective

1. occurring or accomplished without delay; instant.

   an immediate reply.

   Synonyms:

   instantaneous

   Antonyms:

   deferred , delayed

2. following or preceding without a lapse of time.

   the immediate future.

3. having no object or space intervening; nearest or next.

   in the immediate vicinity.

   Synonyms:

   proximate , close

   Antonyms:

   far , distant

4. of or relating to the present time or moment.

   our immediate plans.

5. without intervening medium or agent; direct.

   an immediate cause.

6. having a direct bearing.

   immediate consideration.

7. being family members who are very closely related to oneself, usually including one’s parents, siblings, spouse, and children.

   my immediate family;

   her immediate kin;

   his immediate relatives.

8. Philosophy.  directly intuited.

---

immediate British  

/ ɪˈmiːdɪət /

adjective

1. taking place or accomplished without delay

   an immediate reaction

2. closest or most direct in effect or relationship

   the immediate cause of his downfall

3. having no intervening medium; direct in effect

   an immediate influence

4. contiguous in space, time, or relationship

   our immediate neighbour

5. present; current

   the immediate problem is food

6. philosophy of or relating to an object or concept that is directly known or intuited

7. logic (of an inference) deriving its conclusion from a single premise, esp by conversion or obversion of a categorial statement

---

Other Word Forms

• immediacy noun
• immediately adverb
• immediateness noun
• quasi-immediate adjective
• unimmediate adjective
• unimmediateness noun

Etymology

Origin of immediate

First recorded in 1525–35; from Medieval Latin immediātus; im- ², mediate (adjective)

Example Sentences

There was no immediate response from the companies to the deal.

From The Wall Street Journal

It means the new owners can plot an immediate transfer plan next summer to recover the club from League One - which is an inevitability.

From BBC

While a small number of affected planes are in service, Airbus hasn’t identified any immediate safety risk, according to a person familiar with the situation.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I am sure, like many others in Israel, that the immediate end of the trial will help a lot to lower the flames and promote widespread reconciliation which our people need so much.”

From The Wall Street Journal

There was no immediate response from India over the accusation.

From Barron's

Related Words

• actual
• prompt
• urgent