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
Related Words
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
- quasi-immediately adverb
- unimmediately adverb
Etymology
Origin of immediately
A late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; immediate, -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.
Even though the costumes are made to fit you exactly, they are restrictive and so you feel immediately like you’re thrown into Gilead and thrown into these girls’ shoes.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026
Even if shortages don’t materialize immediately, getting much-needed supplies to California from Asia won’t be cheap.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, which has played a key mediator role, said the ceasefire would start immediately.
From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026
A Meta spokesperson told the BBC the breach was discovered over a year ago, after which the firm said it immediately fired the suspected employee and "referred the matter to law enforcement".
From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026
The sound of frantic screams behind me made me turn as an elevator appeared and was immediately rushed, people cramming themselves into the only escape they could see.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
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.
