# immediacy

/ˌɪˈmiˌdiəsi/ (US) · /ɪmˈiːdɪəsi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/immediacy
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

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

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.