Definition of 'immediate'

Word Frequency

immediate

(ɪmiːdiət )

1. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]

An immediate result, action, or reaction happens or is done without any delay.

These tragic incidents have had an immediate effect.

My immediate reaction was just disgust.

2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]

Immediate needs and concerns exist at the present time and must be dealt with quickly.

Relief agencies say the immediate problem is not a lack of food, but transportation.

Synonyms: current, present, pressing, existing More Synonyms of immediate

3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

The immediate person or thing comes just before or just after another person or thing in a sequence.

In the immediate aftermath of the riots, a mood of hope and reconciliation sprang up.

His immediate superior, General Geichenko, had singled him out for special mention.

4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

You use immediate to describe an area or position that is next to or very near a particular place or person.

Only a handful had returned to work in the immediate vicinity.

I was seated at Sauter's immediate left.

Synonyms: nearest, next, direct, close More Synonyms of immediate

5. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

Your immediate family are the members of your family who are most closely related to you, for example your parents, children, brothers, and sisters.

The presence of his immediate family is obviously having a calming effect on him.

Synonyms: intimate, close More Synonyms of immediate

More Synonyms of immediate

Video: pronunciation of 'immediate'

Word Frequency

immediate in British

(ɪˈmiːdɪət )

adjective (usually prenominal)

taking place or accomplished without delay

an immediate reaction

closest or most direct in effect or relationship

the immediate cause of his downfall

having no intervening medium; direct in effect

an immediate influence

contiguous in space, time, or relationship

our immediate neighbour

present; current

the immediate problem is food

6. philosophy

of or relating to an object or concept that is directly known or intuited

7. logic

(of an inference) deriving its conclusion from a single premise, esp by conversion or obversion of a categorial statement

Derived forms

immediacy (imˈmediacy) or immediateness (imˈmediateness)

noun

Word origin of 'immediate'

C16: from Medieval Latin immediātus, from Latin im- (not) + mediāre to be in the middle; see mediate

Word Frequency

immediate in American

(ɪˈmidiɪt ; imēˈdēit)

adjective

having nothing coming between; with no intermediary

; specif.,

not separated in space; in direct contact; closest; nearest

close by; near

immediate neighbors

not separated in time; acting or happening at once; without delay; instant

of the present time

next in order, succession, etc.; next in line

directly or closely related

one's immediate family

directly affecting; direct; firsthand

an immediate cause

understood or perceived directly or intuitively

an immediate inference

Derived forms

immediateness (imˈmediateness)

noun

Word origin of 'immediate'

LL immediatus: see in-2 & mediate

Example sentences containing 'immediate'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Katya was acutely aware of every nuance in her immediate locality, however; even this. Clive Barker COLDHEART CANYON (2001)Of course that philosophy led directly to those with no ambition at all having immediate success. Anita Anderson SOMEBODY (2001)Lirael listened carefully, nerves drawn tight, muscles ready for immediate flight. Garth Nix LIRAEL: DAUGHTER OF THE CLAYR (2001)