immediately

[ih-mee-dee-it-lee]

adverb

1. without lapse of time; without delay; instantly; at once.

   Please telephone him immediately.

   Synonyms: forthwith
   Antonyms: later

2. with no object or space intervening.

3. closely.

   immediately in the vicinity.

4. without intervening medium or agent; concerning or affecting directly.

conjunction

1. Chiefly British.,  the moment that; as soon as.

immediately

/ ɪˈmiːdɪətlɪ /

adverb

1. without delay or intervention; at once; instantly

   it happened immediately

2. very closely or directly

   this immediately concerns you

3. near or close by

   he's somewhere immediately in this area

conjunction

1. (subordinating) at the same time as; as soon as

   immediately he opened the door, there was a gust of wind

Other Word Forms

• quasi-immediately adverb
• unimmediately adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of immediately¹

A late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; immediate, -ly

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Harper immediately followed with a single on a hanging splitter.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!” he wrote at the time.

Read more on Salon

After the acquisition closed, he immediately moved to fire top leaders at the company, including the four executives.

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"Even the slightest change - don't put it off - get it seen to by an optician immediately."

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It was not immediately clear when Rinderknecht moved to Southern California, but prosecutors said he at one point lived in the Palisades and was familiar with the area where the fire started.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• directly 
• forthwith 
• instantly 
• promptly 
• rapidly 
• shortly 
• soon 
• urgently