Instantly — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adverb conjunction /ˈin(t)-stənt-lē/ in·stant·ly

Meaning & Definition of Instantly

Instantly (adverb)

  1. without the least delay, immediately
  2. with importunity, urgently

Instantly (conjunction)

  1. as soon as

Instantly (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. without delay

    "showed leadership by reacting instantly to the crisis"

    similar: bang, directly, forthwith, headlong, immediately, incontinently, instantaneously, instanter, now, PDQ, plumb, presently, promptly, pronto, right, right away, right now, right off, straight off, straightaway, straightway, at once, in no time, off the bat, on a dime, on the double, on the spot
    related: away, freely, anon, momentarily, shortly, soon, apace, briskly, fast, fleetly, full tilt, posthaste, quick, quickly, rapidly, readily, snappily, speedily, swift, swiftly, abruptly, presto, suddenly, unexpectedly, hastily, impetuously, impulsively, rashly, recklessly, exactly, opportunely, punctually, seasonably
    near: slowly, late, tardily

Instantly (conjunction) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. just at the moment that

    "we realized there would be problems instantly we saw the final report"

    similar: as soon as, immediately (chiefly British), once, when
    near: after, directly (chiefly British), since

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Instantly

The most common words with a similar meaning to Instantly:

Chiefly British: immediately
bang, directly, forthwith, headlong, incontinently, instantaneously, instanter, now, PDQ, plumb, presently, promptly, pronto, right, right away, right now, right off, straight off, straightaway, straightway, at once, in no time, off the bat, on a dime, on the double, on the spot, as soon as, once, when

Related Words for Instantly

away, freely, anon, momentarily, shortly, soon, apace, briskly, fast, fleetly, full tilt, posthaste, quick, quickly, rapidly, readily, snappily, speedily, swift, swiftly, abruptly, presto, suddenly, unexpectedly, hastily, impetuously, impulsively, rashly, recklessly, exactly

Near Antonyms of Instantly

slowly, late, tardily, after, directly, since

Origin & Etymology of Instantly

Middle English, from instant instant:2 + -ly -ly:2

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Instantly

Frequently Asked Questions about Instantly

What does "Instantly" mean?

"Instantly" means without the least delay, immediately. As an an adverb and a conjunction, it is defined as: without the least delay, immediately. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Instantly"?

Other words for "Instantly" include bang, directly, forthwith, headlong, immediately, incontinently, instantaneously and instanter. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Instantly" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Instantly"?

There are 63 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Instantly". Common alternatives include bang, directly, forthwith, headlong, immediately, incontinently, instantaneously, instanter, now and PDQ.

How do you use "Instantly" in a sentence?

Examples of "Instantly" in a sentence: "showed leadership by reacting instantly to the crisis"; "we realized there would be problems instantly we saw the final report".

Is "Instantly" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Instantly" can be used as an adverb and a conjunction, depending on the context.

Is "Instantly" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Instantly" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Instantly"?

"Instantly" is pronounced /ˈin(t)-stənt-lē/ and divided into syllables as in·stant·ly.

What is the origin of the word "Instantly"?

"Instantly" comes from Middle English, from instant instant:2 + -ly -ly:2. First known use: 15th century.