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

This way, you’ll immediately see whether a topic has just spiked once and then dropped or whether it’s of lasting interest.

From Search Engine Watch

If for any reason your monthly payments stop, call your Social Security office immediately.

From Washington Post

Board Chair Ricardy Anderson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

From Washington Post

For people who might be a little hesitant, to see their pastor get vaccinated builds that trust immediately.

From Washington Post

Tidd is one of many people in the autistic community who saw two leaked scenes and immediately recognized in those acted-out moments the potential for real-life harm.

From Washington Post

Lucas answered immediately when asked why he wanted to join the NYPD.

From The Daily Beast

They all immediately dashed out to their car to catch the bad guys.

From The Daily Beast

Thankfully there were no casualties—the driver managed to stop the train immediately.

From The Daily Beast

Unlike former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Huckabee is not immediately forming an exploratory committee.

From The Daily Beast

Most people, however, understood the significance of the photo immediately-- especially those who share my skin.

From The Daily Beast

Now, it immediately occurred to Davy that he had never in his whole life had all the plums he wanted at any one time.

From Project Gutenberg

Miss Smith immediately rises from the table, puts up her dear little mouth to her papa to be kissed.

From Project Gutenberg

While Louis was reading these dispatches, he received a summons from Elizabeth, to attend her immediately.

From Project Gutenberg

His little band was almost immediately surrounded by the enemy.

From Project Gutenberg

Immediately Messa went up the stairs, and safely reached a large room where two candles were burning on a buffet.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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