immediacy

noun

im·​me·​di·​a·​cy i-ˈmē-dē-ə-sē 

British often -ˈmē-jə-sē

plural immediacies

1

: the quality or state of being immediate

the immediacy of a live performance

2

: something that is immediate

the immediacy of our need

—usually used in plural

the basic immediacies of life

Synonyms of immediacy

• proximity

Examples of immediacy in a Sentence

Television coverage gave the war greater immediacy than it had ever before had.

There is an immediacy to watching a live performance that you cannot get from hearing a recording.

Recent Examples on the Web

That immediacy puts both performers and the audience in the moment, essentially deciding together whether a sketch works. —Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026

This transit is all about the heat of the moment, thriving on boldness and immediacy. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026

Reflecting on what motivates continued engagement, Wilbur offers a perspective grounded in impact rather than immediacy. —Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026

Back in the south wing, the vibrancy and immediacy of the Vasquez paintings cannot be overstated. —Penny E Schwartz, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

immediacy

noun

im·​me·​di·​a·​cy im-ˈēd-ē-ə-sē 

plural immediacies

1

: the quality or state of being immediate

2

: something that is of immediate importance

immediacies of daily life