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View synonyms for

instant

[ in-stuhnt ]

noun

  1. an infinitesimal or very short space of time; a moment:

    They arrived not an instant too soon.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

  2. the point of time now present or present with reference to some action or event.
  3. a particular moment:

    at the instant of contact.

  4. a food or beverage, especially coffee, specially processed for quick preparation.
  5. Older Use. the present or current month.


adjective

  1. succeeding without any interval of time; prompt; immediate:

    instant relief from a headache.

  2. pressing or urgent:

    instant need.

  3. noting a food or beverage requiring a minimal amount of time and effort to prepare, as by heating or the addition of milk or water, before being served or used:

    instant coffee; instant pudding.

  4. occurring, done, or prepared with a minimal amount of time and effort; produced rapidly and with little preparation:

    an instant book; instant answers; instant history.

  5. designed to act or produce results quickly or immediately:

    an instant lottery.

  6. Older Use. of the present month: : inst. Compare proximo, ultimo.

    your letter of the 12th instant.

  7. present; current:

    the instant case before the court.

adverb

instant

/ ˈɪԲəԳ /

noun

  1. a very brief time; moment
  2. a particular moment or point in time

    at the same instant

  3. on the instant
    immediately; without delay
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. immediate; instantaneous
  2. (esp of foods) prepared or designed for preparation with very little time and effort

    instant coffee

  3. urgent or imperative
  4. postpositive when abbreviated in formal correspondence
    1. of the present month inst Compare proximo ultimo

      a letter of the 7th instant

    2. currently under consideration
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. a poetic word for instantly
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of instant1

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin instant- (stem of ԲԲ ), present participle of Բ “to be present, urgent,” equivalent to in- in- 2 + -- stand + -nt- present participle suffix
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Word History and Origins

Origin of instant1

C15: from Latin ԲԲ, from Բ to be present, press closely, from in- ² + to stand
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"We could heat beans and rice, and bring water to a boil for instant potatoes," she said.

From

Hers is the sound of belonging in and transcending any instant you find yourself in.

From

"It was instant panic from all the neighbours, everyone was running around in the street," Mr Cainey continued.

From

"It was devastating because it all happened in an instant," he said.

From

Even PSG, a club historically reliant on individual brilliance, has adopted positional ideas in attack - making sure they're prepared to press the instant they lose the ball.

From

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instancyinstantaneous