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
took immediate action
requires immediate attention
b(1)
: near to or related to the present
the immediate past
our immediate future
(2)
: of or relating to the here and now : current
an immediate threat
too busy with immediate concerns to worry about the future
(3)
: close to a particular time or event
the immediate aftermath of the storm
2
a
: existing without intervening space or substance
brought into immediate contact
sitting to my immediate right
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
Examples of immediate in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
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The New York Review of Books, 2 May 2026
Detractors consider this format both mind-numbing and salacious, engineered for immediate gratification and often focused on cast members’ petty personal grievances and rock-bottom moments.
—Daisy Jones, Vogue, 2 May 2026
The most immediate fallout is unfolding in Louisiana, where the Supreme Court invalidated the state’s congressional map and forced officials to halt the May 16 House primaries.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 2 May 2026
Speaking of dry skin, glycerin draws in hydration, colloidal oatmeal calms itchiness and irritation, and aloe provides an immediate, cooling relief when skin feels hot or reactive.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for immediate
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The New York Review of Books, 2 May 2026
Detractors consider this format both mind-numbing and salacious, engineered for immediate gratification and often focused on cast members’ petty personal grievances and rock-bottom moments.
—Daisy Jones, Vogue, 2 May 2026
The most immediate fallout is unfolding in Louisiana, where the Supreme Court invalidated the state’s congressional map and forced officials to halt the May 16 House primaries.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 2 May 2026
Speaking of dry skin, glycerin draws in hydration, colloidal oatmeal calms itchiness and irritation, and aloe provides an immediate, cooling relief when skin feels hot or reactive.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for immediate
Cite this Entry
“Immediate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immediate. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
immediate
adjective
im·me·di·ate
im-ˈēd-ē-ət
1
: acting or being without anything else coming between
the immediate cause of disease
2
: being next in line or nearest in relationship
my immediate family
3
: closest in importance
our immediate needs
4
: acting or being without delay
needs immediate help
5
: not far away in time or space
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