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

Cope & Christian Cage retained and immediately set up a clash with the Young Bucks at All In. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

After bottoming out in October 2002 following the dot-com bust, the index took nearly five years to climb back to a new high in 2007 — a high that didn't even hold, as the Great Recession erased it almost immediately. — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 26 July 2026

Her attorneys didn’t immediately respond Sunday to a request for comment. — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 26 July 2026

Quarterback Purdy noticed the mismatch and found McCaffrey immediately in the left flat. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 26 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