adverb
-
immediately; at once
-
archaic urgently or insistently
Synonym Usage
See immediately.
Etymology
Origin of instantly
Late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at instant, -ly
Explanation
Something happens instantly when there's no pause or delay at all before it occurs. If you fall asleep as soon as your head touches your pillow, you can say you drifted off instantly. If an event is immediate, it happens instantly. Your parents might say they fell in love instantly, the moment they first saw each other, and you may realize instantly on the first day of school that you are going to love your history class. The adverb instantly first meant "persistently," rather than "immediately," though it soon gained this meaning. The Medieval Latin root is instantem, "pressing, urgent," or "standing near."
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.
"I knew instantly when it flew over my building - our apartment building - that it was a twin engine jet at full throttle," said Charles, a trained pilot.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
She instantly claimed any room she entered and then made sure there were snacks.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026
“When I look at it, I see the hills outside of Wellington or people with moko tattoos—things that just make me instantly think of home.”
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 4, 2026
If it meets Ford’s targets, Fathom would instantly become one of the top-selling EVs in the U.S., reports Ryan Felton.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026
Glory didn’t seem bothered and fell asleep instantly as Orion climbed to the foot of her bed for extra warmth.
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
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.
