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

Derived Forms

• imˈmediacy, noun

Other Words From

• im·me·di·ate·ness noun
• im·me·di·ate·ly adverb
• qua·si-im·me·di·ate adjective
• un·im·me·di·ate adjective
• un·im·me·di·ate·ness 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

She said while the government was seeking an "immediate" cut in prisoner numbers, it also needed a "sustained" decrease.

From BBC

In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, after nearly 21 hours of nonstop, adrenaline-fueled broadcasting, Mason and his ABC colleague Don Ohlmeyer returned to the Sheraton Munich hotel, where they were staying in adjoining rooms.

From Los Angeles Times

Activists say the reason is that pollution doesn’t cause immediate problems for most people.

From BBC

Her arrest drew international condemnation, with Amnesty International among those calling for her immediate and unconditional release.

From BBC

The website makes it easier for donors to identify and directly support on-the-ground groups, especially in the immediate onset or aftermath of disasters.

From Salon

Related Words

• actual
• prompt
• urgent