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

In fact, Hal does so almost immediately so John can use his artistic skills to create a complex tunneling device for burrowing beneath the compound. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026

But almost immediately, so, too, was the duo’s urge to get back to work. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Try something new, speak up in a meeting, or let your enthusiasm show without immediately toning it down. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026

Authorities were not immediately sure what caused the crash, and Cordero-Stutz declined to answer additional questions from reporters. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 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