instant

1 of 2

noun

in·​stant ˈin(t)-stənt 

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

2 of 2

adjective

1

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

2

: immediate, direct

the play was an instant success

3

a(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

4

a

: present, current

previous felonies not related to the instant crime

b

: of or occurring in the present month

—abbreviation inst

5

: importunate, urgent

instantness noun

Synonyms of instant

Noun

• minute
• second
• moment
• heartbeat

Adjective

• instantaneous
• immediate

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

With near-instant responses, generative AI can feel extraordinarily insightful. — Morgan Shipley, The Conversation, 21 Sep. 2026

If there was any rust on the outfit from nine years of inactivity, it was knocked off the instant the song’s trademark chiming riff gave way to the thwack of Lynch’s snare drum, bringing the band to life. — Adam Gold, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Dan Schnur, a former Republican political consultant, said the poll could have instant negative effects for the mayor’s fundraising ability as potential supporters might now view Raman as the favorite in the race. — Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

While kids played Pac-Man at the arcade, organizations began connecting online and found an easier path to compete in the global economy through email and instant access to information. — Haris Pylarinos, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, "moment, point of time," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin instant-, instans, noun derivative of Late Latin instant-, instans, adjective, "present, current" — more at instant entry 2

Adjective

Middle English, "of the present moment, immediate, urgent," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin instant-, instans "pressing, urgent" (Late Latin also "present, current"), from present participle of instō, instāre "to set foot on, take up a stand, press in a hostile manner, loom, be upon one, be urgent," from in- in- entry 2 + stāre "to stand" — more at stand entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Phrases Containing instant

• instant messaging
• instant replay
• the instant (that)
• this instant

Kids Definition

instant

1 of 2 noun

in·​stant ˈin(t)-stənt 

: a very small space of time : moment

instant

2 of 2 adjective

1

: pressing, urgent

in instant need

2

: happening or done at once

an instant response

3

: partially prepared by the manufacturer to make final preparation easy

instant pudding

especially : made to dissolve quickly in water

instant coffee

Legal Definition

instant

adjective

in·​stant

: being under present consideration

the questions presented in the instant case