First Known Use: 1651
Dictionary
instantaneous
adjective in·stan·ta·neous \ˌin(t)-stən-ˈtā-nē-əs, -nyəs\
: happening very quickly : happening in an instant
Full Definition of INSTANTANEOUS
1
: done, occurring, or acting without any perceptible duration of time <death was instantaneous>
2
: done without any delay being purposely introduced <took instantaneous corrective action>
3
: occurring or present at a particular instant <instantaneous velocity>
— in·stan·ta·ne·i·ty \ˌin-ˌstan-tə-ˈnē-ə-tē, ˌin(t)-stən-tə-ˈnē-\ noun
— in·stan·ta·neous·ly \ˌin(t)-stən-ˈtā-nē-əs-lē, -nyəs-lē\ adverb
— in·stan·ta·neous·ness noun
See instantaneous defined for English-language learners
See instantaneous defined for kids
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Origin of INSTANTANEOUS
Medieval Latin instantaneus, from instant-, instans, noun
Related to INSTANTANEOUS
- Synonyms
- immediate, instant, split-second, straightaway
Rhymes with INSTANTANEOUS
INSTANTANEOUSLY Defined for Kids
instantaneous
adjective in·stan·ta·neous \ˌin-stən-ˈtā-nē-əs\
Definition of INSTANTANEOUS for Kids
: happening or done very quickly : happening in an instant <an instantaneous reply>
— in·stan·ta·neous·ly adverb
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