immediately

1 of 2

adverb

im·​me·​di·​ate·​ly i-ˈmē-dē-ət-lē How to pronounce immediately (audio)
 also  -ˈmē-dit-,
 British often  -ˈmē-jit-
1
: without interval of time : straightway
I'll make that call immediately
2
: in direct connection or relation : directly
the parties immediately involved in the case
the house immediately beyond this one

immediately

2 of 2

conjunction

chiefly British

Examples of immediately in a Sentence

Adverb the person immediately to my left Dinner was served immediately after the ceremony. The new law will become effective immediately. Conjunction Immediately you fill out this form, we can start processing your request. give us a ring immediately you get back
Recent Examples on the Web
Adverb
No arrests have been made and no details about a suspect were immediately available. Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2024 Details about what the defense attorneys for the six men are seeking in their sentencing proceedings were not immediately available. Emma Tucker, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024 All lanes reopened by shortly after 8 a.m. No information about the person who was killed was immediately available. Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2024 Brunson, undeterred, immediately began to recruit a lineup of sketch-comedy collaborators. Molly Fischer, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, the San Quentin advisory council in January recommended redirecting some of the money dedicated to the revamp into renovations that would more immediately improve living conditions at the prison. Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024 Deliveroo didn’t immediately respond to Fortune’s request for comment. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 18 Mar. 2024 The Pentagon began rushing military assets to the region almost immediately after Oct. 7, initially to deter Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Iran’s most powerful proxy, from opening a new front against Israel, but also to avert a wider war. Missy Ryan, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024 Frequently Asked Questions Which sleeping pills work immediately? Sayaka Blickenderfer, Health, 16 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'immediately.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Conjunction

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of immediately was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near immediately

Cite this Entry

“Immediately.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immediately. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

immediately

adverb
im·​me·​di·​ate·​ly
im-ˈēd-ē-ət-lē
1
: with nothing between : directly
the person immediately to my left
2
: right away : at once
do it immediately

More from Merriam-Webster on immediately

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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