immediate

[ih-mee-dee-it]

adjective

1. occurring or accomplished without delay; instant.

   an immediate reply.

   Synonyms: instantaneous
   Antonyms: deferred, delayed

2. following or preceding without a lapse of time.

   the immediate future.

3. having no object or space intervening; nearest or next.

   in the immediate vicinity.

   Synonyms: proximate, close
   Antonyms: far, distant

4. of or relating to the present time or moment.

   our immediate plans.

5. without intervening medium or agent; direct.

   an immediate cause.

6. having a direct bearing.

   immediate consideration.

7. being family members who are very closely related to oneself, usually including one’s parents, siblings, spouse, and children.

   my immediate family;

   her immediate kin;

   his immediate relatives.

8. Philosophy.,  directly intuited.

immediate

/ ɪˈmiːdɪət /

adjective

1. taking place or accomplished without delay

   an immediate reaction

2. closest or most direct in effect or relationship

   the immediate cause of his downfall

3. having no intervening medium; direct in effect

   an immediate influence

4. contiguous in space, time, or relationship

   our immediate neighbour

5. present; current

   the immediate problem is food

6. philosophy of or relating to an object or concept that is directly known or intuited

7. logic (of an inference) deriving its conclusion from a single premise, esp by conversion or obversion of a categorial statement

Other Word Forms

• immediacy noun
• immediateness noun
• immediately adverb
• quasi-immediate adjective
• unimmediate adjective
• unimmediateness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of immediate¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Medieval Latin immediātus; im- ², mediate (adjective)

Word History and Origins

Origin of immediate¹

C16: from Medieval Latin immediātus, from Latin _im- (not) + mediāre to be in the middle; see _mediate

Example Sentences

The Times reached out to representatives for Cutler and did not receive an immediate response.

From Los Angeles Times

There has been some immediate discontent from Scottish Labour figures over this news – that after years being their sole torchbearer at Westminster, Murray has lasted barely a year as Scottish secretary.

From BBC

Mobile health clinics and emergency medical teams have also been deployed to provide immediate care on the ground, with UN agencies and partners preparing to send more supplies to meet additional needs.

From BBC

When the series ended, there were immediate rumors of a follow-up film, but it took a few years for everyone to come back together.

From Los Angeles Times

That gap was enough to see her through the remainder of the set and force a decider, which Sabalenka took control of from the off with an immediate break.

From BBC

Related Words

• actual 
• prompt 
• urgent