immediately

[ ih-mee-dee-it-lee ]

See synonyms for immediately on Thesaurus.com

adverb

without lapse of time; without delay; instantly; at once: Please telephone him immediately.
with no object or space intervening.

closely: immediately in the vicinity.
without intervening medium or agent; concerning or affecting directly.

conjunction

Chiefly British. the moment that; as soon as.

Origin of immediately

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

synonym study For immediately

1. 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 words for immediately

1	instantaneously, forthwith

See synonyms for immediately on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for immediately

later

See antonyms for immediately on Thesaurus.com

Other words from immediately

qua·si-im·me·di·ate·ly, adverb
un·im·me·di·ate·ly, adverb

Words Nearby immediately

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use immediately in a sentence

This way, you’ll immediately see whether a topic has just spiked once and then dropped or whether it’s of lasting interest.
A comprehensive guide on using Google Trends for keyword research | Aayush Gupta | February 12, 2021 | Search Engine Watch
If for any reason your monthly payments stop, call your Social Security office immediately.
Hints From Heloise: New scam tied to coronavirus pandemic | Heloise Heloise | February 12, 2021 | Washington Post
Board Chair Ricardy Anderson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
Faith leaders criticize Fairfax school board for delaying vote on adding four religious holidays to calendar | Hannah Natanson | February 10, 2021 | Washington Post
For people who might be a little hesitant, to see their pastor get vaccinated builds that trust immediately.
Churches pair up with clinics to deliver coronavirus vaccine to those who need it most | Jenna Portnoy | February 10, 2021 | Washington Post
Tidd is one of many people in the autistic community who saw two leaked scenes and immediately recognized in those acted-out moments the potential for real-life harm.
The very real, very painful reasons the autistic community demanded two restraint scenes be removed from Sia’s new film ‘Music’ | Theresa Vargas | February 10, 2021 | Washington Post

Lucas answered immediately when asked why he wanted to join the NYPD.
Shot Down During the NYPD Slowdown | Michael Daly | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
They all immediately dashed out to their car to catch the bad guys.
Shot Down During the NYPD Slowdown | Michael Daly | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
Thankfully there were no casualties—the driver managed to stop the train immediately.
Is Putin Turning to Terrorism in Ukraine? | Anna Nemtsova | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
Unlike former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Huckabee is not immediately forming an exploratory committee.
Can Huckabee Convert the GOP’s Moneymen? | Lloyd Green | January 4, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
Most people, however, understood the significance of the photo immediately-- especially those who share my skin.
What Would Happen if I Got in White Cop’s Face? | Goldie Taylor | December 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Now, it immediately occurred to Davy that he had never in his whole life had all the plums he wanted at any one time.
Davy and The Goblin | Charles E. Carryl
Miss Smith immediately rises from the table, puts up her dear little mouth to her papa to be kissed.
Physiology of The Opera | John H. Swaby (AKA "Scrici")
While Louis was reading these dispatches, he received a summons from Elizabeth, to attend her immediately.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane Porter
His little band was almost immediately surrounded by the enemy.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV. | Various
immediately Messa went up the stairs, and safely reached a large room where two candles were burning on a buffet.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624 | Various

British Dictionary definitions for immediately

immediately

/ (ɪˈmiːdɪətlɪ) /

adverb

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

(subordinating) mainly British at the same time as; as soon as: immediately he opened the door, there was a gust of wind

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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