instant

²instant

adj

Definition of INSTANT

1

: importunate, urgent

2

a : present, current <previous felonies not related to the instant crime> b : of or occurring in the present month —abbreviation inst

3

: immediate, direct <the play was an instant success>

4

a (1) : premixed or precooked for easy final preparation <instant pudding> (2) : appearing in or as if in ready-to-use form <instant poetry> b : immediately soluble in water <instant coffee>

5

: produced or occurring with or as if with extreme rapidity and ease

— in·stant·ness noun

Examples of INSTANT

1. The movie was an instant hit.
2. He became an instant celebrity with the publication of his first novel.
3. We got an instant response from the company.
4. The Internet provides instant access to an enormous amount of information.
5. Is this coffee instant or regular?

Origin of INSTANT

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin instant-, instans, from present participle of instare to stand upon, urge, from in- + stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to INSTANT

Synonyms: immediate, instantaneous, split-second, straightaway

Antonyms: noncritical, nonurgent

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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