immediately meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

immediately

adv

UK /ɪˈmiː.di.ət.li/ · CA, US /ɪˈmi.di.ɪt.li/

Etymology From Middle English immediatly, equivalent to immediate + -ly.

In an immediate manner; instantly or without delay.

I hope we can begin immediately.
His unruly hair was slicked down with water, and as Jessamy introduced him to Miss Brindle his face assumed a cherubic innocence which would immediately have aroused the suspicions of anyone who knew him.1967, Barbara Sleigh, Jessamy, Sevenoaks, Kent: Bloomsbury, published 1993, →ISBN, page 96:

1 more example

Spain failed to move through the gears despite exerting control for lengthy spells and a measure of perspective must be applied immediately to the outcome.2011 November 12, “International friendly: England 1-0 Spain”, in BBC Sport:

Without any intervening time or space.

A tri-tone chime whistle, operated from the cab by a flexible cable passing down the right hand handrail, is mounted on the top of the smokebox immediately behind the chimney.1951 June, “British Railways Standard Class "5" 4-6-0 Locomotives”, in Railway Magazine, page 399:

Synonyms: 26 terms
forthwith, now, right away, straightaway, tout de suite, directly, anoon, ASAP, at once, by and by, forthwithal, incontinently, instanter, instantly, no sooner said than done, on the nail, on the spot, on the spur of the moment, pronto, right now, right off, soon, stat, this instant, toot sweet, yesterday
Antonyms: eventually
Related terms: in no time, quickly
Hypernyms: currently

conj

Etymology From Middle English immediatly, equivalent to immediate + -ly.

As soon as, the moment that.

Near-synonym: once
My dog is an open book: immediately he smelled our dinner, he grew more interested in our activities.

2 more examples

Immediately he saw the firm, he realised what he could do.1921, DH Lawrence, Women in Love, Vintage, published 2008, page 221:
Immediately you transact on the Redemption and stop the impertinence of debate, God gives you the witness.1924 (compiled and published posthumously), Oswald Chambers, "The Witness of the Spirit" (reading for Oct. 22), My Utmost for His Highest