immediately

1 of 2

adverb

im·​me·​di·​ate·​ly i-ˈmē-dē-ət-lē 

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

: as soon as

Synonyms of immediately

Adverb

• promptly
• instantly
• now
• directly

Conjunction

• when
• once

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

The task force did not immediately respond The Commercial Appeal's request for comment on the shooting. — Lucas Finton, USA Today, 6 July 2026

With three Japanese players around him, the decision to immediately engage during such a transitional moment was incorrect. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026

They had been spotted in nearby trees but didn’t immediately return to the nest. — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

The Marlins immediately lost the perfect game and no-hitter in the eighth inning once Perez was pulled as Lake Bachar walked Lawrence Butler and gave up a single to Joshua Kuroda-Grauer. — Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Conjunction

1839, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for immediately

• intermediately
• mediately

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