immediate

im·me·di·ate

adj
\i-ˈmē-dē-ət, British often -ˈmē-jit\

Definition of IMMEDIATE

1

a : acting or being without the intervention of another object, cause, or agency : direct <the immediate cause of death> b : present to the mind independently of other states or factors <immediate awareness> c : involving or derived from a single premise <an immediate inference>

2

: being next in line or relation <the immediate family>

3

a : existing without intervening space or substance <brought into immediate contact> b : being near at hand <the immediate neighborhood>

4

a : occurring, acting, or accomplished without loss or interval of time : instant <an immediate need> b (1) : near to or related to the present <the immediate past> (2) : of or relating to the here and now : current <too busy with immediate concerns to worry about the future>

5

: directly touching or concerning a person or thing <the child's immediate world is the classroom>

Examples of IMMEDIATE

1. This requires your immediate attention.
2. The new restaurant was an immediate success.
3. This crisis calls for immediate action.
4. The response to the crisis was immediate.
5. The wildfire poses no immediate threat to any houses in the area.
6. The danger is not immediate.
7. They have evacuated everyone in the immediate area of the wildfire.
8. Many people suffered in the war's immediate aftermath.
9. The effect of the new policy will be unknown for the immediate future.
10. He was sitting to my immediate right.

Origin of IMMEDIATE

Middle English immediat, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin immediatus, from Latin in- + Late Latin mediatus intermediate — more at mediate

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to IMMEDIATE

Synonyms: instantaneous, instant, split-second, straightaway

Antonyms: indirect, secondhand

Related Words: summary; fast, hit-and-run, prompt, quick, rapid, speedy, swift

Near Antonyms: dilatory, tardy; slow, sluggish; prolonged, protracted; deferred, delayed

see all synonyms and antonyms

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