immediate
adjective
im·me·di·ate i-ˈmē-dē-ət 
British often -ˈmē-jit
1
a
: occurring, acting, or accomplished without loss or interval of time : instant
an immediate need
b(1)
: near to or related to the present
the immediate past
(2)
: of or relating to the here and now : current
too busy with immediate concerns to worry about the future
2
a
: existing without intervening space or substance
brought into immediate contact
b
: being near at hand
the immediate neighborhood
3
: being next in line or relation
the immediate family
4
a
: acting or being without the intervention of another object, cause, or agency : direct
the immediate cause of death
b
: present to the mind independently of other states or factors
immediate awareness
c
: involving or derived from a single premise
an immediate inference
5
: directly touching or concerning a person or thing
the child's immediate world is the classroom
Synonyms
- instant
- instantaneous
- split-second
- straightaway
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
This requires your immediate attention. The new restaurant was an immediate success. This crisis calls for immediate action. The response to the crisis was immediate. The wildfire poses no immediate threat to any houses in the area. The danger is not immediate. They have evacuated everyone in the immediate area of the wildfire. Many people suffered in the war's immediate aftermath. The effect of the new policy will be unknown for the immediate future. He was sitting to my immediate right. See More
Recent Examples on the Web For others from the Queen's immediate family, outfits, sashes and medals were dictated by military rank. 
Oscar Holland, CNN, 19 Sep. 2022 Beijing also imposed sanctions on Pelosi and her immediate family, and canceled military dialogues and suspended climate talks with the United States. Amy B Wang, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Sep. 2022 Beijing also imposed sanctions on Pelosi and her immediate family, and canceled military dialogues and suspended climate talks with the United States. Amy B Wang, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2022 Her office said for every person who is composted versus buried or cremated, the environmental impact is immediate. Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2022 The effects of the strike were immediate, with a large swath of the country's freight railways grinding to a stop. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2022 Exposure to life outside of her immediate family shifts Bea’s understanding and lowers her tolerance for Sharon and Derek. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Sep. 2022 The Monarch may also receive support in their official duties from members of their immediate family. Phillip Nieto, Fox News, 12 Sep. 2022 According to USA Today, there are plans to exhume Prince Philip's remains and relocate him into the same resting place that Queen Elizabeth will soon occupy near her immediate family. Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 10 Sep. 2022 See More
Oscar Holland, CNN, 19 Sep. 2022 Beijing also imposed sanctions on Pelosi and her immediate family, and canceled military dialogues and suspended climate talks with the United States. Amy B Wang, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Sep. 2022 Beijing also imposed sanctions on Pelosi and her immediate family, and canceled military dialogues and suspended climate talks with the United States. Amy B Wang, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2022 Her office said for every person who is composted versus buried or cremated, the environmental impact is immediate. Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2022 The effects of the strike were immediate, with a large swath of the country's freight railways grinding to a stop. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2022 Exposure to life outside of her immediate family shifts Bea’s understanding and lowers her tolerance for Sharon and Derek. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Sep. 2022 The Monarch may also receive support in their official duties from members of their immediate family. Phillip Nieto, Fox News, 12 Sep. 2022 According to USA Today, there are plans to exhume Prince Philip's remains and relocate him into the same resting place that Queen Elizabeth will soon occupy near her immediate family. Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 10 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English immediat, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin immediatus, from Latin in- + Late Latin mediatus intermediate — more at mediate
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a
Phrases Containing immediate
Kids Definition
immediate
adjective
im·me·di·ate i-ˈmē-dē-ət
1
: happening without any delay
I need immediate help.
2
: occurring or existing now
There is no immediate danger.
3
: having importance now
Our immediate concern is getting help.
4
: not far away in time or space
the immediate future
the immediate area
5
: being next in line or nearest in relationship My immediate family includes my parents, brothers, and sisters.
6
: having nothing between
The room is to your immediate right.
Medical Definition
immediate
adjective
im·me·di·ate
im-ˈēd-ē-ət, British often -ˈē-jit
1
a
: acting or being without the intervention of another object, cause, or agency : being direct
the immediate cause of death
b
: present to the mind independently of other states or factors
immediate awareness
2
: made or done at once
immediate
adjective
1
as in instantaneous
done or occurring without any noticeable lapse in time felt immediate relief after taking the painkiller Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- instantaneous
- instant
- rapid
- swift
- straightaway
- quick
- split-second
- summary
- prompt
- speedy
- fast
- hit-and-run
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- prolonged
- slow
- protracted
- sluggish
- deferred
- tardy
- delayed
- dilatory
2
as in primary
done or working without something else coming in between she is my immediate superior, so I report to her Synonyms & Similar Words
- primary
- direct
- unmediated
- firsthand
- clinical
- empirical
- efficient
- empiric
- proximate
- hands-on
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- indirect
- secondhand
3
as in swift
done, carried out, or given without delay immediate treatment saved the victim of the massive heart attack Synonyms & Similar Words
- swift
- quick
- speedy
- prompt
- timely
- early
- apt
- ready
- punctual
- willing
- opportune
- seasonable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- belated
- late
- overdue
- tardy
- delayed
- delinquent
- slow
- behind
- latish
- dilatory
- detained
- laggard
- behindhand
4
as in near
not being distant in time, space, or significance for the victims of the terrorist attack, the incident is as immediate as yesterday's news Synonyms & Similar Words
- near
- close
- proximate
- nearby
- at hand
- convenient
- to hand
- coming
- neighboring
- close-up
- nigh
- forthcoming
- next-door
- adjacent
- upcoming
- contiguous
- oncoming
- adjoining
- accessible
- handy
- approaching
- abutting
- bordering
- close-in
- hand-to-hand
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- distant
- deep
- remote
- far
- away
- faraway
- far-off
- separated
- removed
- divorced
5
as in current
existing or in progress right now we need to solve the immediate problems before working on the more long-term ones Synonyms & Similar Words
- current
- ongoing
- present
- recent
- instant
- existing
- new
- existent
- extant
- modern
- contemporary
- present-day
- being
- modernistic
- ultramodern
- newfangled
- breathing
- mod
- supermodern
- up-to-date
- space-age
- new-fashioned
- living
- red-hot
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- future
- coming
- unborn
- over
- terminated
- through
- up
- ended
- completed
- finished
- old
- ancient
- done
- concluded
- obsolete
- past
- archaic
- former
- antiquated
- antediluvian
- antique
- outworn
- erstwhile
- fusty
- dated
- bygone
- musty
- noncontemporary
- oldfangled
- old-time
- passé
- old-fashioned
- ago
- out-of-date