instant

noun

in·stant | \ ˈin(t)-stənt

Definition of instant

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : an infinitesimal space of time especially : a point in time separating two states at the instant of death

2 : the present or current month

instant

adjective

Definition of instant (Entry 2 of 2)

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

2 : immediate, direct the play was an instant success

3a(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

4a : present, current previous felonies not related to the instant crime

b : of or occurring in the present month —abbreviation inst

5 : importunate, urgent

Other Words from instant Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about instant

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of instant in a Sentence

Noun

For an instant, I forgot where I was. The ride was over in an instant.

Adjective

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The tweet was an instant hit, generating hundreds to thousands of reactions from across social media. — Brian Manzullo, Detroit Free Press, "Which Faygo flavor would you keep? Debate takes Detroit social media by storm," 18 June 2019 For an instant, the Dodgers’ breakout, which the season’s first 10 weeks suggested was inevitable, seemed imminent. — Jorge Castillo, latimes.com, "Dodgers lose Corey Seager and get swept by Angels," 12 June 2019 For an instant, which seemed an age, the pressure was terrific. — Robert E. (robert Edwin) Peary, Harper's magazine, "Unyielding Ice," 10 June 2019 The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is, without a doubt, an instant hit. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "Everything We Know About "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" Season 2," 6 Dec. 2018 The Pardy wrap, named after her husband, Chris Pardy, was an instant hit. — Marni Elyse Katz, BostonGlobe.com, "Summer nights, wrapped up," 12 July 2018 How the young professor, homesick for Germany at holiday time, introduced the first Christmas tree documented in Virginia — an instant hit. — Julie Zauzmer, Washington Post, "This 400-year-old church is older than almost any institution in America," 9 May 2018 High Street was an instant hit, and Bois’ breads got as much attention as (or more than) the rest of the menu. — Michael Klein, Philly.com, "Alex Bois, baker man, finds himself at Lost Bread Co.," 20 Apr. 2018 Those wings became an instant hit, and have been on the bar's menu ever since. — OregonLive.com, "Classic Buffalo hot wings, plus 13 spicy recipe variations, for Super Bowl 2018," 22 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Later that morning, Cheryl received an instant message from Dru’s girlfriend, asking if anybody had heard from him and alerting her about the fire. — Peggy O’hare, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio parents struggle with grief after son’s death in Iconic Village fire," 5 July 2019 Journalists touring the building saw stacks of instant oatmeal and instant noodles. — Cedar Attanasio And Amy Taxin, Houston Chronicle, "Doctors, lawyers portray dire conditions for child migrants," 27 June 2019 His five-year stint at the Bernabeu brought instant success, as Real won seven trophies in his first three years at the club in a glittering career. — SI.com, "The 50 Most Expensive Real Madrid Signings Ever," 27 June 2019 In the very instant that her account became a news item, however, the idea of a rapist president lost another ounce of stigma. — Josephine Livingstone, The New Republic, "The Death of Taboo," 27 June 2019 The song was an instant success across Congo and East Africa and was voted the Zairean song of the year. — Nicolas Niarchos, The New Yorker, "The Death of Simaro Lutumba Closes a Chapter of Congolese Music," 26 June 2019 Children told lawyers that they were fed oatmeal, a cookie and a sweetened drink in the morning, instant noodles for lunch and a burrito and cookie for dinner. — Martha Mendoza, The Denver Post, "Migrant children describe neglect at Texas border facility," 21 June 2019 Children told lawyers that they were fed oatmeal, a cookie and a sweetened drink in the morning, instant noodles for lunch and a burrito and cookie for dinner. — Cedar Attanasio, Twin Cities, "Migrant children describe neglect by U.S. government at Texas border detention facility," 20 June 2019 Those conversations become instant connections to a variety of services, chief among them making headway in kicking opioid addiction. — Vinny Vella, Courant Community, "Vinny Vella: 'Breaking Bread' Program A Novel, Obvious Approach To Fighting Opioid Crisis," 20 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'instant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for instant

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin instant-, instans, from instant-, instans, adjective, instant, from Latin

Adjective

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

Keep scrolling for more