immediately

American  

[ih-mee-dee-it-lee] / ɪˈmi di ɪt li /

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 British  

/ 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

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• quasi-immediately adverb
• unimmediately adverb

Etymology

Origin of immediately

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

Explanation

If you want it NOW, you want it immediately. Immediately means this minute, this moment, right away! Immediately is an adverb that usually applies to time, but can also mean next to, or nearby, as in, "The kids immediately to your right has red hair." It can also be used to talk about close, even direct, connections, as in, "Are you immediately involved in the push to get rid of the schools superintendent?" Despite the different uses, the meaning is similar. When you see immediately, think close, sudden, and now!

Example Sentences

The investor borrows someone else’s shares, immediately sells them, and buys them back, hopefully at a lower price to create a profit, usually within a six month period.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

The fort immediately surrendered, the night’s darkness having “proved to be the attackers’ greatest ally, because it heightened the royalists’ fear of the unknown.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Nike did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Times.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

By contrast, in response to the Iran war, investors almost immediately sold U.S.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

It sounds ridiculous, I know, but that was how I felt, and when you are sixteen you feel things very immediately, very strongly, very certainly.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo

Related Words

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