immediate

adjective im·me·di·ate \i-ˈmē-dē-ət, British often -ˈmē-jit\

: happening or done without delay

: happening or existing now

: important now

Full Definition of IMMEDIATE

a : acting or being without the intervention of another object, cause, or agency : direct <the immediate cause of death>

b : present to the mind independently of other states or factors <immediate awareness>

c : involving or derived from a single premise <an immediate inference>

: being next in line or relation <the immediate family>

a : existing without intervening space or substance <brought into immediate contact>

b : being near at hand <the immediate neighborhood>

a : occurring, acting, or accomplished without loss or interval of time : instant <an immediate need>

b (1) : near to or related to the present <the immediate past> (2) : of or relating to the here and now : current <too busy with immediate concerns to worry about the future>

: directly touching or concerning a person or thing <the child's immediate world is the classroom>

See immediate defined for English-language learners

See immediate defined for kids

Origin of IMMEDIATE

Middle English immediat, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin immediatus, from Latin in- + Late Latin mediatus intermediate — more at mediate

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to IMMEDIATE

Synonyms: instantaneous, instant, split-second, straightaway

Antonyms: indirect, secondhand

IMMEDIATE Defined for Kids

immediate

adjective im·me·di·ate \i-ˈmē-dē-ət\

Definition of IMMEDIATE for Kids

: happening without any delay <I need immediate help.>

: occurring or existing now <There is no immediate danger.>

: having importance now <Our immediate concern is getting help.>

: not far away in time or space <the immediate future> <the immediate area>

: being next in line or nearest in relationship <My immediate family includes my parents, brothers, and sisters.>

: having nothing between <The room is to your immediate right.>

Medical Dictionary

immediate

adjective im·me·di·ate \im-ˈēd-ē-ət, British often -ˈē-jit\

Medical Definition of IMMEDIATE

a : acting or being without the intervention of another object, cause, or agency : being direct <the immediate cause of death> b : present to the mind independently of other states or factors <immediate awareness>

: made or done at once

—im·me·di·ate·ly adverb