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
Synonym Usage
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
Etymology
Origin of immediately
A late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at immediate, -ly
Explanation
If you want it NOW, you want it immediately. Immediately means this minute, this moment, right away! Immediately is an adverb that usually applies to time, but can also mean next to, or nearby, as in, "The kids immediately to your right has red hair." It can also be used to talk about close, even direct, connections, as in, "Are you immediately involved in the push to get rid of the schools superintendent?" Despite the different uses, the meaning is similar. When you see immediately, think close, sudden, and now!
Vocabulary lists containing immediately
List 1
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List 6
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -ly
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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.
Despite the big backing, Martin immediately put himself on the back foot with an opening-day draw at Motherwell last August.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
To make sure Europeans immediately know whether the online content they see is real or fake.
From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026
“I immediately started collecting stuff after I saw that show,” she told the L.A.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026
A lawyer for Hajdini didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment; her attorneys categorically denied the previous allegations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
Tomás had brought two chain saws, but they immediately decided it would be safer for one of them to use the saw while the other pulled branches and pieces of trunk out of the way.
From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith
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.
