instant1 adjectiveinstant2 noun
instantin‧stant1 /ˈɪnstənt/ ●●○ W3 adjective 
WORD ORIGINinstant1
Origin:
1400-1500 French, Latin instans, present participle of instare ‘to stand on, be present’, from stare ‘to stand’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- He took an instant dislike to LeRoy.
- The workers are being threatened with instant dismissal.
- Underwater cables permitted instant communication between the continents.
- Foam-breathing would have many uses, beginning with the use of oxygenated foam for instant well-being.
- I would reach for two mugs and two packets of the instant drink mix which was our evening ration.
- It was a brilliant move, and one that gave Clinton instant Stature-presidential stature-in the minds of many previous doubters.
- Polreis and Kimsey became instant friends, a bond made closer by the fact that both ultimately adopted children.
- The Marlins come as close to being instant pudding as almost any professional franchise in history.
- We knew that there were no instant or easy solutions to overcome the problems that we faced.
Longman Language Activatorhappening or needing to be done immediately
· My immediate reaction was shock and horror.· This letter requires your immediate attention.· The immediate needs of the refugees are for warm clothing and clean drinking water.· One immediate worry is money.
happening immediately, without any delay or doubt: · The workers are being threatened with instant dismissal.take an instant dislike to somebody : · He took an instant dislike to LeRoy.
very nearly at the same time as something else happens, and often as a result of it: · Death from a massive heart attack was almost instantaneous.
WORD SETSafters, nounalmond, nounanchovy, nounapple, nounapricot, nounartichoke, nounasparagus, nounaspic, nounaubergine, nounavocado, nounbacon, nounbagel, nounbaguette, nounbaked beans, nounbanana, nounbap, nounbarley sugar, nounbatter, nounbear claw, nounbhaji, nounbiscuit, nounbisque, nounblancmange, nounbloater, nounblood orange, nounblue cheese, nounboiled sweet, nounbologna, nounbouillon, nounbread, nounbreadfruit, nounbreast, nounBrie, nounbrioche, nounbroad bean, nounbroccoli, nounbrownie, nounBrussels sprout, nounbubble and squeak, nounbullseye, nounburger, nounburrito, nounbutter, nounbutter bean, nounbutterfat, nounbutterscotch, nounCanadian bacon, nouncanapé, nouncandy apple, nouncandy cane, nouncandyfloss, nouncannelloni, nouncantaloup, nouncaramel, nouncarrot, nouncashew, nouncauliflower, nouncaviar, nouncelery, nouncereal, nouncheddar, nouncheeseburger, nouncheesecake, nounchew, nounchewing gum, nounchicken, nounchicken-fried steak, nounchilli, nounChinese leaves, nounchip, nounchipolata, nounchitterlings, nounchoc, nounchoccy, nounchoc-ice, nounchocolate, nounchocolate chip cookie, nounchop, nounchop suey, nounchowder, nounchow mein, nounChristmas cake, nounChristmas cookie, nounChristmas pudding, nounchutney, nounclementine, nouncock-a-leekie, nouncoconut, nouncod, nouncoleslaw, nouncollard greens, nouncompote, nouncoq au vin, nounCornish pasty, nouncouscous, nouncrème caramel, nouncrepe, nouncrumble, nouncurry, nounDanish, nounDanish pastry, noundessert, noundevil's food cake, noundigestive biscuit, noundill pickle, noundip, noundish, noundoorstep, noundory, noundouble cream, noundouble-decker, noundoughnut, noundressing, noundrumstick, nounduck, noundumpling, nounDundee cake, nounenchilada, nounfaggot, nounfava bean, nounfish, nounfish and chips, nounfishcake, nounfish finger, nounfish stick, nounflapjack, nounfoie gras, nounfondant, nounfondue, nounfortune cookie, nounfrankfurter, noungammon, noungarbanzo, noungâteau, noungelatin, nounghee, noungherkin, noungiblets, nounginger, adjectivegingerbread, nounginger nut, nounglacé, adjectiveglacé icing, noungoose, noungooseberry, noungoulash, noungranola, noungrape, noungrapefruit, noungravy, noungreen bean, noungreengage, noungreen onion, noungreen pepper, noungreen salad, noungriddlecake, nounguacamole, nounhaggis, nounhamburger, nounharicot, nounhash, nounhash browns, nounhazelnut, nounheavy, adjectiveheavy cream, nounhelping, nounhero, nounhock, nounhominy, nounhomogenized, adjectivehoney, nounhors d'oeuvre, nounhorseradish, nounhot-cross bun, nounhot dog, nounhotpot, nounhoumous, nounhuckleberry, nounhumbug, nounhumus, nounice, nouniceberg lettuce, nounice cream, nouningredient, nouninstant, adjectiveIrish stew, nouniron rations, nounjacket potato, nounjalapeño, nounjam, nounjambalaya, nounjawbreaker, nounJell-O, nounjelly, nounjelly baby, nounjelly bean, nounjelly roll, nounjerky, nounJerusalem artichoke, nounkabob, nounkale, nounkebab, nounkedgeree, nounkernel, nounketchup, nounkidney, nounkidney bean, nounkipper, nounkiwi fruit, nounkorma, nounkumquat, nounlamb, nounlasagne, nounleek, nounlemon, nounlemon curd, nounlemon sole, nounlentil, nounlettuce, nounlima bean, nounlime, nounlinguini, nounliquorice, nounliver, nounliver sausage, nounloaf, nounlobster, nounloganberry, nounlollipop, nounlox, nounlozenge, nounluncheon meat, nounlychee, nounmacaroni, nounmacaroon, nounmarzipan, nounmash, nounmatzo, nounmayo, nounmayonnaise, nounmeatball, nounmeatloaf, nounMelba toast, nounmelon, nounmeringue, nounmilk pudding, nounmincemeat, nounmince pie, nounminestrone, nounmixed grill, nounmonkey nut, nounmoussaka, nounmousse, nounmuesli, nounmuffin, nounmulberry, nounmullet, nounmulligatawny, nounmunchies, nounmush, nounmushy peas, nounmuskmelon, nounmussel, nounmutton, nounnachos, nounnan, nounneapolitan, adjectivenectarine, nounnonpareil, nounnoodle, nounnougat, nounoat cake, nounoatmeal, nounomelette, nounopen-faced sandwich, nounopen sandwich, nounorange, nounoven-ready, adjectiveoyster, nounpacked lunch, nounpaella, nounpancake, nounpantry, nounpapaya, nounpaprika, nounparfait, nounParmesan, nounparsley, nounparsnip, nounparson's nose, nounpassion fruit, nounpasta, nounpastrami, nounpastry, nounpasty, nounpâté, nounpatty, nounpavlova, nounpawpaw, nounpea, nounpeach, nounPeach Melba, nounpeanut, nounpeanut butter, nounpear, nounpease pudding, nounpecan, nounpemmican, nounpeppermint, nounpepperoni, nounpersimmon, nounpickle, nounpilchard, nounpineapple, nounpippin, nounpistachio, nounpitta bread, nounpizza, nounplantain, nounplum, nounplum pudding, nounpomegranate, nounpopcorn, nounpoppadom, nounPopsicle, nounpound cake, nounprofiterole, nounpudding, nounquiche, nounradish, nounragout, nounraisin, nounrasher, nounraspberry, nounravioli, nounredcurrant, nounred pepper, nounrelish, nounrice pudding, nounrisotto, nounrissole, nounroly-poly, nounsalad, nounsalsa, nounsamosa, nounsausage roll, nounsavoury, nounschnitzel, nounsemolina, nounshepherd's pie, nounsherbet, nounsoft-boiled, adjectivesole, nounsorbet, nounsoufflé, nounsoup, nounsour cream, nounsoy sauce, nounspaghetti, nounSpam, nounspare ribs, nounspeciality, nounspecialty, nounsponge, nounsubmarine sandwich, nounsuccotash, nounsucker, nounsummer pudding, nounsundae, nounsushi, nounsweet, nounsweetbread, nounsweetie, nounsweet roll, nounSwiss roll, nounSwiss steak, nounsyllabub, nountagliatelle, nounterrine, nountoad-in-the-hole, nounvol-au-vent, nounwafer, nounwaffle, nounwater biscuit, nounwater chestnut, nounwater ice, nounwatermelon, nounweenie, nounWelsh rarebit, nounwhip, nounwhipped cream, nounwhipping cream, nounYorkshire pudding, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
They took an instant dislike to each other (=they disliked each other immediately).
They took an instant dislike to each other (=they disliked each other immediately).· The success of her first novel brought her instant fame.
(=used to say that something or someone is forgotten immediately)· His first album led to instant oblivion.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· He and Grégoire met, and it was almost instant dislike.· How quickiy we learned to avoid those folks who promise you almost instant wealth by selling you foolproof kits and promises.· His action had been almost instant and she knew he had wanted to beat her instead.· The glue joints made were typical of this type of adhesive - almost instant and relatively brittle.
NOUN· You will not enjoy absolutely instant access, but the extra interest is worth the wait.· You get instant access 24 hours, seven days a week.· Both require a minimum investment of £1, give instant access and include gifts.· All three pay 6.85 per cent, offer instant access, and welcome deposits from £1.· Other accounts offer better rates, but give you instant access to your cash without penalising you.· Money that you may need in an emergency should go into an instant access account.· These had advantages in handling and in instant access to a desired image without any winding.· There is instant access to funds at each maturity date.
· I regularly pay £5 for 300g of instant coffee.· He tries very slowly to stand up and get to the kitchen to give me some instant coffee.· He then began adding back one food per day and when he included instant coffee it produced another bout of severe depression.· He was advised to cut out all instant coffee from his diet and since then has kept very well by doing so.· I've always got plenty of instant coffee and rapport ... Maybe he was shy.· He could only regard her existential pain as a cup of instant coffee to be sweetened with saccharin.· Widely available since the 1930s, instant coffee is produced commercially by brewing ground freshly roasted coffee to a strong concentrate.· Freeze dried instant coffee is more aromatic than the instant coffee powder and more expensive.
· The combination of water and electricity means instant death - not a mild shock - death.· The thought of an instant death, chosen in time and manner, seemed to have some minimising effect on that fear.
· I certainly wouldn't go into a new business and make instant decisions about who has got to go.
· And to make matters worse I took an instant dislike to the wife.· Feeley took an instant dislike to him.· He and Grégoire met, and it was almost instant dislike.· An interviewer who happens to be very short may take an instant dislike to having a general manager who is much taller.· It had been clear from the start that the spinster had taken an instant dislike to both Ashi and her daughter.
· An employer need not give any notice if the employee's conduct constitutes gross misconduct justifying instant dismissal.· In itself, the offence justified instant dismissal under company rules.· Auguste was therefore reprieved from instant dismissal from a post he had no idea he was occupying.· For when one is dealing with such volatile temperaments, the slightest thing may result in my instant dismissal.
· It is our need for possession and instant gratification which we pursue with such intensity, whatever the costs.· It takes a lot more work than this for instant gratification.· The message is: we want instant gratification, but we don't think any of you can deliver it.· Forbes is purchasing the same instant gratification at the advice of Carter Wrenn, a media warrior from Sen.· This individual is concerned only with instant gratification.· We live in a society where instant gratification is the norm.· Many ticket buyers want instant gratification.
· Meanwhile, the Cheltenham Festival's newest race, the £40,000 added Coral Cup, has been an instant hit with trainers.· Unveiled in 1986, the megaliths were an instant hit.· The Plaza Girls, a troupe of tall dancers that were an instant hit with the public.· Shearer, an instant hit at Blackburn, has yet to convince me.
· Along with that, the league should reinstitute the use of instant replay.
· The instant response was very favourable and next morning the reviews were superb.
· But serious conflict can not be managed by way of instant solutions.· There are no magic wands or instant solutions.· We can't promise instant solutions, but we can promise to listen.· This knowledge does not mean instant solutions, however.· Many Sri Lankans are sceptical of the government's instant solution to the murder.· There has never been an instant solution, indeed in some cases there has been no solution at all.
· Her instant success as a recording artist had, however, crystallised one thought in Kylie's head.· There is no magic formula for instant success.· Published in 1974, Pursuit was an instant success and was subsequently translated into thirteen foreign languages.· But in 1990, Microsoft released, with unprecedented fanfare, Windows 3. 0, and found instant success.· The expectations of his adopted nation were such that nothing other than instant success was going to do.· The subsequent exhibition of the dormeuse at the London Museum was an instant success.· Thus, emphasis must be placed upon gradual acceptance rather than the expectation of instant success.· Those who taste instant success usually falter quickly in the aftermath of their luck.
WORD FAMILYnouninstanceinstantadjectiveinstantinstantaneousadverbinstantlyinstantaneously
1[usually before noun] happening or produced immediately SYN immediate: an instant success a system that provides instant access to client information The women took an instant dislike to one another. The programme brought an instant response.2[only before noun] instant food, coffee etc is in the form of powder and prepared by adding hot water: instant coffee instant soupinstant1 adjectiveinstant2 noun
instantinstant2 ●○○ noun EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- It took me an instant to recognize who he was.
- All my resolve during my walks along the Seine to become detached from my family vanished in an instant.
- For an instant, he seemed to look at me, too.
- He could memorize a page of type or a visual pattern almost in an instant.
- The instant she touched it Luce felt the second star dip beneath the pressure of her finger.
- The scientists looked at each other in astonishment, and in that instant, Benny bolted.
Longman Language Activatora short time
· Unfortunately, we could only spend a short time together.· The talk should only last a short time.in/within a short time · How did you manage to do all this in such a short time?· The police arrived within a very short time.a short time ago · Your friends left a short time ago.for a short time · I think he went to prison for a short time.
a short period of time, during or after which something happens: · It always takes a little while to get used to the climate.for a short/little while: · Bob's only worked here for a short while, about six months I think.a little while/a short while ago: · He died a little while ago.· She was in the papers a short while ago. after/in a little/short while: · If you take the pills now, your headache will go after a short while.· Don't start that now, it'll be time to go in a little while.
a very short time, no more than a few minutes: · Just a moment Susie, can I have a quick word with you?· Can I borrow your pen a minute?· Wait a minute, I'm nearly ready.a minute/moment ago: · Where's Charles gone? He was here a moment ago.for/in a minute/moment: · Sit down for a minute and rest your legs.· Mark should be back in a moment.· I'll be with you in a minute.
an extremely short time, no more than a few seconds: · Do you mind switching the telly on a second?· An instant later, she let out a piercing scream.· 'Yes,' she declared, without an instant's hesitation.· 'Have you finished writing?' 'No, hang on a second.'for a second/an instant: · Can I stop you there, just for a second?· Just hold that end for a second while I fix this to the wall.· Did her eyes flicker open for an instant?in a second/an instant: · Mr Smart's on the other line, can he call you back in a second?· We both fell asleep in an instant.
British spoken a short time, usually just a few minutes: · I waited, and a bit later the phone went again -- it was Bill.· Oh, wait a bit, can't you?after/for/in a bit: · I think I'll lie down for a bit.· 'Are you coming?' 'Yes, in a bit.'· After a bit, Bill had started to tire of her company.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY She caught his eye for an instant. When the rain started, the crowd vanished in an instant (=immediately).COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES They took an instant dislike to each other (=they disliked each other immediately).
She caught his eye for an instant. When the rain started, the crowd vanished in an instant (=immediately). They took an instant dislike to each other (=they disliked each other immediately).· The success of her first novel brought her instant fame.
(=used to say that something or someone is forgotten immediately)· His first album led to instant oblivion.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Suddenly, for one brief instant, all was silence.· In that brief instant we fused.· For the briefest instant there was a look of self-reproach in his eyes.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
- The instant I saw the place, I knew it was the right house for us.
- Each give the instant results essential to demonstrations.
- He loved the instant of the discovery, that flash of astonishment.
- I would reach for two mugs and two packets of the instant drink mix which was our evening ration.
- It was a great advertisement for Test cricket, with the instant variety of the World Cup just around the corner.
- Motion was conserved in the precise form in which it occurred at the instant of its preservation.
- On the instant, a fearful commotion began on the farther side.
- Perseus saw her and on the instant loved her.
- Words like solid, experienced, respected and grown-up littered the instant Cheney profiles last week.
- Come here this instant!
- And as for rushing off this instant, there's no need.
- But even at this instant, something relaxed in me.
- But this instant information has come at a cost.
- Despite this instant recall, however, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since we lifted the trophy.
- Get down from there this instant.
- In this instant, a stronger bit might help with the strong horse to stop him running through the rider's hand.
- Now was the time for other things-for the next thing-for figuring out what to do now, this instant.
- You hie yourself into your room this instant, and remove those -- clothes.
WORD FAMILYnouninstanceinstantadjectiveinstantinstantaneousadverbinstantlyinstantaneously
1[countable usually singular] a moment: She caught his eye for an instant. When the rain started, the crowd vanished in an instant (=immediately).instant of an instant of panic She stepped towards the door and, in that very same instant, the doorbell rang.2the instant (that) as soon as something happens: The instant I saw him, I knew he was the man from the restaurant. Jen burst out laughing the instant she walked in.3this instant spoken used when telling someone, especially a child, to do something immediately SYN now: Come here this instant!