Immediate is an adjectivea word that describes a noun or pronoun with a few closelyin a way that shows a strong or tight connection related senses. It can mean happening right away, very near in space or time, or directlyin a straight line or with no intervening step connected without anything in between.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ɪˈmidiət/
Easy pronunciation: ih-MEE-dee-uht (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress falls on the second syllable: MEE.
Used in the sense of done right away, with little or no delay.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Immediate Meaning
done right away
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: performed with little or no delay
Example: She sent an immediate reply to my email.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- prompt — A strong everyday substitute when something happens without delay.
- quick — Works in many contexts, though it is a bit broader and less precise than immediate.
- straightaway — A natural substitute in informal English, especially for actions done at once.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Immediate
Meaning 2
right nearby or very near in time
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: very close or connected in space or time
Example: They live in the immediate vicinity of the park.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- contiguous — Works for physical closeness or touching, but it is more formal and narrower than immediate.
Meaning 3
direct, with nothing between
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: having no intervening medium
Example: The device has an immediate effect on the signal.
Meaning 4
the next result or cause in a sequence
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: immediately before or after as in a chain of cause and effect
Example: The immediate cause of the problem was a broken pipe.
Meaning 5
belonging to the current situation or surroundings
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: of the present time and place
Example: The team focused on the immediate needs of the community.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Immediate Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- prompt
- quick
- straightaway
very close or connected in space or time
- contiguous
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Don't use immediate only for time; it can also describe closeness, directness, and things in the current situation.
- Immediate does not always mean 'important' or 'urgent'—it usually means 'without delay' or 'right near/direct.'
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does immediate mean in simple English?
Immediate means happening right away, or something that is very close, direct, or right at hand.
What are the best synonyms for immediate?
For the common meaning 'done right away,' the best synonyms are prompt, quick, and straightaway.
Can immediate mean 'near'?
Yes. It can describe something very close in space or time, as in 'the immediate area' or 'the immediate past.'
Is immediate the same as instant?
Often, yes in everyday use, but immediate usually means 'without delay' rather than 'happening in a single instant.'
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
