Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

immediate

 - definition
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
adjective British English pronunciation: immediate /ɪˈmiːdiət/
  1. 1
    happening or done now, without any delay

    Our government must take immediate action.

    The rebels demanded the immediate release of the prisoners.

    Restrictions on advertising had an immediate impact on rates of teenage smoking.

    with immediate effect (=starting now):

    I handed in my resignation, with immediate effect.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  immediateThesaurus entry for this meaning of immediate
    1. a.
      your immediate reaction to something is the first thing you think, feel, or do when it happens

      My immediate response was to say yes.

      The announcement brought immediate denunciation from environmental bodies.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  immediateThesaurus entry for this meaning of immediate
    2. b.
      existing now and needing urgent action

      There doesn’t seem to be any immediate danger.

      The French threat was the most immediate and damaging.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  immediateThesaurus entry for this meaning of immediate
    3. c.
      [only before noun] existing in the period of time directly before or after an event

      in the immediate prewar period

      immediate aftermath:

      terrible pictures of the immediate aftermath of the earthquake

      the immediate future:

      The two men have different plans for the immediate future.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  immediateThesaurus entry for this meaning of immediate
  2. 2
    [only before noun] immediate aims, wishes, or needs are of the greatest importance and are dealt with first

    Our immediate aim is to qualify for next year’s finals.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  immediateThesaurus entry for this meaning of immediate
  3. 3
    [only before noun] someone in an immediate relationship to you is closely connected to you

    She is my immediate superior (=the person directly in charge of me).

    members of the President’s immediate entourage

    immediate family (=your parents, children, brothers, and sisters):

    People who have immediate family on the plane are asked to contact this number.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  immediateThesaurus entry for this meaning of immediate
  4. 4
    [only before noun] next to a place or person, or a very small distance away from them
    immediate vicinity (=area):

    There are several pleasant walks in the immediate vicinity.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  immediateThesaurus entry for this meaning of immediate

phrase

This is the British English definition of immediate. View American English definition of immediate.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

 

vocal fry

a speech habit in which a speaker lowers their voice at the end of a sentence

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day Word of the Day

glottal stop

a sound made by stopping air as it passes through your throat. In some varieties of spoken...

Open Dictionary

conflict mineral

a mineral which is mined in a place where there is armed conflict, and sold to help pay for weapons

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog