Instantly

  • 1instantly — instantly, instantaneously Instantly means ‘immediately’ and refers to the point at which something happens, whereas instantaneously means ‘in an instant’ and refers to the (imperceptibly short) period of time that something takes: • He pressed… …

    Modern English usage

  • 2Instantly — In stant*ly, adv. 1. Without the least delay or interval; at once; immediately. Macaulay. [1913 Webster] 2. With urgency or importunity; earnestly; pressingly. They besought him instantly. Luke vii. 4. Syn: Directly; immediately; at once. See… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 3instantly — [in′stənt lē] adv. 1. in an instant; without delay; immediately 2. Archaic urgently; pressingly conj. Brit. as soon as; the instant that [I came instantly I saw the need] …

    English World dictionary

  • 4instantly — I adverb anon, at once, directly, expeditiously, extemplo, fast, forthwith, hastily, hurriedly, immediately, instantaneously, now, presently, promptly, quickly, rapidly, right away, right now, shortly, soon, speedily, statim, straightway, swiftly …

    Law dictionary

  • 5instantly — late 15c., urgently, persistently, from INSTANT (Cf. instant) (adj.) + LY (Cf. ly) (2). Meaning immediately is 1550s …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 6instantly — [adv] right now at once, away, directly, double time*, first off*, forthwith, immediately, in a flash*, instantaneously, instanter, now, on a dime*, PDQ*, pronto*, right, right away, spontaneously, straight away*, there and then*, this minute,… …

    New thesaurus

  • 7instantly — adv. Instantly is used with these adjectives: ↑accessible, ↑alert, ↑apparent, ↑available, ↑familiar, ↑likeable, ↑memorable, ↑popular, ↑recognizable, ↑suspicious Instantly is used with these verbs: ↑ …

    Collocations dictionary

  • 8instantly — in|stant|ly [ˈınstəntli] adv immediately ▪ All four victims died instantly. ▪ The information was instantly available …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 9instantly — in|stant|ly [ ınstəntli ] adverb ** immediately: They ll instantly make you feel at home. His voice was instantly recognizable …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • 10instantly — adverb immediately: They recognised him instantly. | All four victims died instantly …

    Longman dictionary of contemporary English