immediate

[ih-mee-dee-it]

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of immediate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of immediate¹

C16: from Medieval Latin immediātus, from Latin _im- (not) + mediāre to be in the middle; see _mediate

Example Sentences

While the immediate prospects are not good with the Owls facing an uphill task to avoid relegation to League One, fans are more optimistic for the longer term again.

Read more on BBC

Even so, it shares the immediate postwar setting of the other pieces in this collection.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“The recent airspace violations in European countries have further underscored the importance of increased defense resources and immediate readiness,” Chief Executive Micael Johansson said.

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As witnesses reported drones targeting the army-held capital Khartoum for the third consecutive day on Thursday, four UN agencies urged an "immediate cessation of hostilities".

Read more on Barron's

But authorities in Russia, perhaps not knowing Zhang’s true identity, refused him entry and ordered his immediate return to Cuba, said law-enforcement officials familiar with the case.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• actual 
• prompt 
• urgent