immediately

[ ih-mee-dee-it-lee ]

adverb

1. without lapse of time; without delay; instantly; at once:

   Please telephone him immediately.

   Synonyms: forthwith

   Antonyms: later

2. with no object or space intervening.
3. closely:

   immediately in the vicinity.

4. without intervening medium or agent; concerning or affecting directly.

conjunction

1. Chiefly British. the moment that; as soon as.

immediately

/ ɪˈmiːdɪətlɪ /

adverb

1. without delay or intervention; at once; instantly

   it happened immediately

2. very closely or directly

   this immediately concerns you

3. near or close by

   he's somewhere immediately in this area

conjunction

1. subordinating at the same time as; as soon as

   immediately he opened the door, there was a gust of wind

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of immediately¹

A late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; immediate, -ly

Synonym Study

Immediately, instantly, directly, presently were once close synonyms, all denoting complete absence of delay or any lapse of time. Immediately and instantly still almost always have that sense and usually mean at once: He got up immediately. She responded instantly to the request. Directly is usually equivalent to soon, in a little while rather than at once: You go ahead, we'll join you directly. Presently changes sense according to the tense of the verb with which it is used. With a present tense verb it usually means now, at the present time: The author presently lives in San Francisco. She is presently working on a new novel. In some contexts, especially those involving a contrast between the present and the near future, presently can mean soon or in a little while: She is at the office now but will be home presently.

Example Sentences

Then he got an offer from a Christian label in Nashville; he moved again and immediately met a woman with whom he ended up eloping.

From Los Angeles Times

Styles, Tomlinson, Horan and Malik each publicly paid tribute to their “brother” in social media posts in the days immediately following his death.

From Los Angeles Times

It's clear that the tag team of Stephen Miller and Tom Homan are prepared to initiate Trump's mass deportation program immediately upon taking office.

From Salon

When the two met for the first time in the halls of the Institute, they immediately embraced, writes Zeldovich.

From Salon

Marriott had a bucket station in her sister’s basement, where she immediately put her flowers after getting home from the market.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• directly
• forthwith
• instantly
• promptly
• rapidly
• shortly
• soon
• urgently