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

President Richard Nixon immediately called an emergency Oval Office meeting. —Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026

An update for that spot was not immediately available Friday. —Jenna Thompson march 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026

Let April be a month of local exploration, creative play, and genuine curiosity about the world immediately around you. —Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026

The extent of the damage done to the ports was not immediately clear. —CBS News, 28 Mar. 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