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

How’s this all going over in the Senate, which will have to confirm Gaetz’s appointment by majority vote, unless Trump tries some sort of end-around “adjournment” and “recess appointment” gambit that would create an instant constitutional crisis?

From Slate

It's a word used to describe people who only develop a sexual attraction to others after forming a deep bond based on their personality, rather than feeling an instant connection.

From BBC

By winning Group B4, Wales not only secured an instant return to the top tier of the Nations League, but also all but guaranteed at least a play-off for the World Cup.

From BBC

His teddy boy appearance was an instant hit with women.

From BBC

In late 2022, Sabrina Carpenter was a hard-working Disney Channel journeyman just getting out from beneath the pop-culture ignominy of having been cast as the bad-guy “blond girl” in Olivia Rodrigo’s instant smash of a Gen Z heartbreak ballad, “Drivers License.”

From Los Angeles Times