Word
immediate
Phoneticsim·me·di·ate, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪˈmiˌdiət/
UK/ɪmˈiːdɪət/
Definitions
01happening right away
B1 · Intermediate
adj. happening or done at once, without any delay.
adj. occurring or accomplished without any intervening time or delay.
Español:inmediato
“The patient needs immediate medical attention to stop the bleeding.”
“The government promised an immediate response to the crisis, though critics argued that the proposed measures would take weeks to implement.”
02closest family
B1 · Intermediate
adj. your closest relatives, such as parents, children, and siblings.
adj. denoting the nearest category of relationship, typically restricted to parents, siblings, and children.
Español:inmediato
“The funeral was a small event attended only by immediate family.”
“While his extended relatives live abroad, his immediate family resides within a few miles of the family estate.”
Antonyms
03next to or nearby
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. being very close to something in space or position.
adj. nearest in space or relationship; having no intervening object or person.
Español:inmediato
“There are no shops in the immediate area, so you have to drive to town.”
“The blast caused significant damage to the immediate surroundings, shattering windows in all the adjacent office blocks.”
04urgent military request
C1 · Advanced Military Technical
adj. used in the military to show that a message or request for help is very urgent.
adj. denoting a high priority or urgent requirement for action, particularly in communications or artillery support.
“The commander sent an immediate request for smoke to hide the soldiers.”
“The forward observer called for immediate suppression to neutralise the enemy position before the infantry began their final advance.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “immediate” in context.
Verb
01. require immediate attention
“This is a serious problem that requires your immediate attention.”
verb + noun
02. take immediate action
“The government needs to take immediate action to help the environment.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. immediate effect
“The new law will come into force with immediate effect.”
adj + noun
04. immediate family
“The party was small, with only members of his immediate family invited.”
adj + noun
05. immediate future
“We don't have any plans to move house in the immediate future.”
adj + noun
06. immediate response
“The new product received an immediate response from customers.”
adj + noun
07. immediate vicinity
“There are no shops in the immediate vicinity of the hotel.”
adj + noun
Preposition
08. in the immediate aftermath
“In the immediate aftermath of the storm, many roads were closed.”
prep + noun
09. immediate action
10. immediate attention
11. immediate priority
12. constructive immediate
Etymology
From Old French immediat (French immédiat), borrowed from Late Latin immediātus (“without in-between, moderation”), from Latin in + mediātus, perfect passive participle of mediō (“to halve, to be in the middle”) (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from medius (“middle”). By surface analysis, im- + mediate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/immediate
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0