immediately

1 of 2

adverb

im·​me·​di·​ate·​ly i-ˈmē-dē-ət-lē 

 also  -ˈmē-dit-,

 British often  -ˈmē-jit-

1

: without interval of time : straightway

I'll make that call immediately

2

: in direct connection or relation : directly

the parties immediately involved in the case

the house immediately beyond this one

immediately

2 of 2

conjunction

chiefly British

: as soon as

Synonyms

Adverb

• bang
• directly
• forthwith
• headlong
• incontinently
• instantaneously
• instanter
• instantly
• now
• PDQ
• plumb
• presently
• promptly
• pronto
• right
• right away
• right now
• right off
• straightaway
• straight off
• straightway

Conjunction

• as soon as
• instantly
• once
• when

Examples of immediately in a Sentence

Adverb

the person immediately to my left

Dinner was served immediately after the ceremony.

The new law will become effective immediately.

Conjunction

Immediately you fill out this form, we can start processing your request.

give us a ring immediately you get back

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

President Donald Trump has been accused of raising prescription drug prices for seniors by immediately rescinding former President Joe Biden's executive order to lower costs after beginning his second term on Monday. —Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025

Musk didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. —Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2025

Eberl, Freund, and head coach Vincent Kompany believe that the 19-year-old can help Bayern Munich immediately. —Manuel Veth, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025

Police immediately stopped the vehicle, which was being driven by an adult with juvenile passengers. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Conjunction

1839, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

immediately

adverb

im·​me·​di·​ate·​ly

im-ˈēd-ē-ət-lē

1

: with nothing between : directly

the person immediately to my left

2

: right away : at once

do it immediately