English Reference

Word

immediacy

Phoneticsim·me·di·a·cy

US/ˌɪˈmiˌdiəsi/

UK/ɪmˈiːdɪəsi/

Definition

n. the quality of being very close in time or space. It describes something that happens right now or is very easy to reach.

n. the quality of being immediate in time, space, or effect. Often refers to the directness of a response or the lack of delay in a process.

Examples

“The immediacy of the response surprised everyone.”

“The immediacy of the threat forced the government to act before the public even realized what was happening.”

“In digital communication, the perceived immediacy of a message can create a sense of urgency that might not exist in a more traditional, asynchronous medium.”

Examples

simple

“The immediacy of the response surprised everyone.”

contextual

“The immediacy of the threat forced the government to act before the public even realized what was happening.”

complex

“In digital communication, the perceived immediacy of a message can create a sense of urgency that might not exist in a more traditional, asynchronous medium.”

Real-World Examples

“The soft thuds of timpani that open Beethoven’s Violin Concerto landed from the back of the stage with the immediacy of taps on the shoulder, quietly urgent.”
The Guardian · 4 Sept 2026

Domain

Philosophy

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference