instant

American  

[in-stuhnt] / ˈɪn stənt /

noun

1. an infinitesimal or very short space of time; a moment.

   They arrived not an instant too soon.

   Synonyms:

   trice, jiffy, flash, twinkling, second

2. the point of time now present or present with reference to some action or event.

3. a particular moment.

   at the instant of contact.

4. a food or beverage, especially coffee, specially processed for quick preparation.

5. Older Use. the present or current month.

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adjective

1. succeeding without any interval of time; prompt; immediate.

   instant relief from a headache.

2. pressing or urgent.

   instant need.

3. noting a food or beverage requiring a minimal amount of time and effort to prepare, as by heating or the addition of milk or water, before being served or used.

   instant coffee; instant pudding.

4. occurring, done, or prepared with a minimal amount of time and effort; produced rapidly and with little preparation.

   an instant book; instant answers; instant history.

5. designed to act or produce results quickly or immediately.

   an instant lottery.

6. Older Use. of the present month: inst.

   your letter of the 12th instant.

7. present; current.

   the instant case before the court.

adverb

1. instantly.

instant British  

/ ˈɪnstənt /

noun

1. a very brief time; moment

2. a particular moment or point in time

   at the same instant

3. immediately; without delay

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adjective

1. immediate; instantaneous

2. (esp of foods) prepared or designed for preparation with very little time and effort

   instant coffee

3. urgent or imperative

4. (postpositive)

   1.  inst.  of the present month Compare proximo ultimo

      a letter of the 7th instant

   2. currently under consideration

adverb

1. a poetic word for instantly

Related Words

See minute ¹.

Etymology

Origin of instant

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin instant- (stem of instāns ), present participle of instāre “to be present, urgent,” equivalent to in- in- ² + -stā- stand + -nt- present participle suffix

Explanation

An instant is a very short time. In combinations like instant coffee and instant replay it means available right away without a wait. Instant and moment mean the same thing if you are talking about a particular time in the past like you remember the instant or moment you realized that you had won the lottery. However, the two words are very different when talking about time in the future. "I'll be there in an instant" means you're coming as quickly as possible, whereas if you say "I'll be there in a moment," someone is going to have to wait a bit for you.

Example Sentences

He seems to have felt instant solidarity with his brothers and loathing for his bosses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Today’s investment culture is shaped by a 24-hour news cycle and technology that enables instant decision-making.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

The proposed budget met instant pushback from lawmakers.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

An instant bestseller, “Strangers” has struck a chord with readers, married and divorced alike, who recognize the danger signs in Burden’s love story.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

The instant it did, he turned and exited through the same door through which he’d entered less than a minute earlier.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti