instant

[ in-stuhnt ]

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.

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. Compare proximo, ultimo.

   your letter of the 12th instant.

7. present; current:

   the instant case before the court.

adverb

1. instantly.

instant

/ ˈɪnstənt /

noun

1. a very brief time; moment
2. a particular moment or point in time

   at the same instant

3. on the instant
   immediately; without delay

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 when abbreviated in formal correspondence
   1. of the present month inst Compare proximo ultimo

      a letter of the 7th instant

   2. currently under consideration

adverb

1. a poetic word for instantly

Word History and Origins

Origin of instant¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of instant¹

C15: from Latin instāns, from instāre to be present, press closely, from in- ² + stāre to stand

Synonym Study

See minute ¹.

Example Sentences

Add to that the DISH Anywhere app, and you have instant access to the program guide and the ability to record shows on the go.

From The Daily Beast

But in the next instant, Peters is stepping back to the table and snatching up the knife.

From The Daily Beast

Having just crossed the country in coach, I needed instant spiritual repair.

From The Daily Beast

The problem starts in that instant of electric mistrust when the cop reaches for his gun, or employs a homicidal chokehold.

From The Daily Beast

The instant you are deemed a candidate for arrest, you become not so much a person as a “perp.”

From The Daily Beast

But at the instant I caught a sight of my counterfeit presentment in a shop window, and veiled my haughty crest.

From Project Gutenberg

How is it that one instant of time should work those effects in the human mind which are so lasting in their results!

From Project Gutenberg

Wharton and Louis had withdrawn their hands at the same instant they caught his eye; and the Duke turned into the circle.

From Project Gutenberg

Blanche stood an instant looking into the lighted room and hesitating—flushed a little, smiling, extremely pretty.

From Project Gutenberg

She saw his back for an instant against the pale gloom of the garden, in which vapour was curling.

From Project Gutenberg